Lower rim 1,3-di{4-antipyrine}amide conjugate of calix[4]arene: synthesis, characterization, and selective recognition of Hg2+ and its sensitivity toward pyrimidine bases

The structurally characterized lower rim 1,3-di{4-antipyrine}amide conjugate of calix[4]arene (L) exhibits high selectivity toward Hg(2+) among other biologically important metal ions, viz., Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Pb(2+), and Ag(+) as studied by fluorescence, absorption, and ESI MS. L acts as a sensor for Hg(2+) by switch-off fluorescence and exhibits a lowest detectable concentration of 1.87 ± 0.1 ppm. The complex formed between L and Hg(2+) is found to be 1:1 on the basis of absorption and fluorescence titrations and was confirmed by ESI MS. The coordination features of the mercury complex of L were derived on the basis of DFT computations and found that the Hg(2+) is bound through an N(2)O(2) extending from both the arms to result in a distorted octahedral geometry with two vacant sites. The nanostructural features such as shape and size obtained using AFM and TEM distinguishes L from its Hg(2+) complex and were different from those of the simple mercuric perchlorate. L is also suited to sense pyrimidine bases by fluorescence quenching with a minimum detection limit of 1.15 ± 0.1 ppm in the case of cytosine. The nature of interaction of pyrimidine bases with L has been further studied by DFT computational calculations and found to have interactions through a hydrogen bonding and NH-π interaction between the host and the guest.     

Luminescence behavior of a water soluble calix[4]arene derivative complex with terbium ion(III) in gelation solution

The complexation luminescence behavior of a water soluble calix[4]arene derivative, 5,11,17,23-tetra-sulfonate-25,26,27,28-tetra-carboxymethoxycalix[4]arene (L) with lanthanoid ion (Tb(3+)) has been investigated in gelation solution at 25 degrees C by using UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. The results obtained indicated that the water soluble calix[4]arene derivative can form an efficient energy transfer complex with terbium ion(III). The fluorescence of L x Tb(3+)complex is partially quenched by gelatin in gelation solution. The quenching intensity is related to the concentration and the hydrolysis degree of gelatin. Absorption and fluorescence spectra analysis show that the -COO(-) groups on gelatin have a definite binding ability to Tb(3+), and then, gelatin could compete binding with calix[4]arene derivative upon complexation with Tb(3+), leading to the relative fluorescence quenching of the formation complex of terbium(III) ion with calix[4]arene derivative.     

Calix[4]arene-based 1,3-diconjugate of salicylyl imine having dibenzyl amine moiety (L): synthesis, characterization, receptor properties toward Fe2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+, crystal structures of its Zn2+ and Cu2+ complexes, and selective phosphate sensing by the [ZnL

A calix[4]arene conjugate bearing salicylyl imine having dibenzyl moiety (L) has been synthesized and characterized, and its ability to recognize three most important essential elements of human system, viz., iron, copper, and zinc, has been addressed by colorimetry and fluorescence techniques. L acts as a sensor for Cu(2+) and Fe(2+) by exhibiting visual color change and for Zn(2+) based on fluorescence spectroscopy. L shows a minimum detection limit of 3.96 ± 0.42 and 4.51 ± 0.53 ppm and 45 ± 4 ppb, respectively, toward Fe(2+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+). The in situ prepared [ZnL] exhibits phosphate sensing among 14 anions studied with a detection limit of 247 ± 25 ppb. The complexes of Zn(2+), Cu(2+), and Fe(2+) of L have been synthesized and characterized by different techniques. The crystalline nature of the zinc and copper complexes and the noncrystalline nature of simple L and its iron complex have been demonstrated by powder XRD. The structures of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) complexes have been established by single crystal XRD wherein these were found to be 1:1 monomeric and 2:2 dimeric, respectively, using N(2)O(2) as binding core. The geometries exhibited by the Zn(2+) and the Cu(2+) complexes were found to be distorted tetrahedral and distorted square planar, respectively. The iron complex of L exists in 1:1 stoichiometry as evident from the mass spectrometry and elemental analysis.     

Role of the conformational changes brought in the arms of the 1,3-di-capped conjugate of calix[4]arene (L) in turning on the fluorescence of L by Hg2+

A new 1,3-di-capped calix[4]arene conjugate of salicylidene (L) has been synthesized, characterized and the structure has been established by single crystal XRD. L shows selectivity towards Hg(2+) in ethanol by turn-on fluorescence among the biologically important metal ions studied. The species of recognition has been modeled by DFT computational calculations to result in conformational changes in the arms that support the turn-on fluorescence behaviour.     

Triazole linked picolylimine conjugate of calix[6]arene as a sequential sensor for La3+ followed by F-

A new 1,3,5-tris-triazole linked picolylimine conjugate of calix[6]arene (L) has been shown to be selective toward La(3+) by turn on fluorescence with ～70-fold enhancement and emits blue, with a minimal detection limit of 65 ± 5 ppb (490 nM). The species of recognition has been modeled computationally to have a monocapped twisted square antiprism with a N(6)O(3) binding core about La(3+). The in situ complex of L with La(3+) recognizes F(-) via fluorescence quenching. The reversible response of sensing La(3+) and F(-) sequentially by L has been demonstrated.     

A Zn(2+) specific triazole based calix[4]arene conjugate (L) as a fluorescence sensor for histidine and cysteine in HEPES buffer milieu

A highly fluorescent Zn(2+) complex of the triazole linked salicyl-imino-thiophenyl conjugate of calix[4]arene, [ZnL] has been demonstrated to be a chemo-sensing ensemble for the recognition of His and Cys among the naturally occurring amino acids in HEPES buffer milieu. The recognition behaviour of the [ZnL] towards these amino acids has been shown on the basis of fluorescence, absorption and visual fluorescent colour changes. The species of recognition were shown by ESI MS titrations, AFM & TEM microscopy and cell studies.     

Ratiometric sensing of Hg2+ based on the calix[4]arene of partial cone conformation possessing a dansyl moiety

A new fluorescent chemosensor based on the calix[4]arene of partial cone conformation possessing a dansyl moiety has been synthesized. The chemosensor demonstrates selective optical recognition of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) in two contrasting modes. The receptor exhibited ratiometric sensing of Hg(2+) and "ON-OFF" type of fluorescence behavior in the presence of Cu(2+). The compound behaves as a fluorescent molecular switch upon chemical inputs of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) ions.     

Triazole-linked-thiophene conjugate of calix[4]arene: its selective recognition of Zn2+ and as biomimetic model in supporting the events of the metal detoxification and oxidative stress involving metallothionein

Supramolecular calix[4]arene conjugate (L) has been developed as a sensitive and selective sensor for Zn(2+) in HEPES buffer among the 12 metal ion by using fluorescence, absorption and ESI MS and also by visual fluorescent color. The structural, electronic, and emission properties of the calix[4]arene conjugates L and its zinc complex, [ZnL], have been demonstrated using ab initio density functional theory (DFT) combined with time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. The TDDFT calculations reveal the switch on fluorescence behavior of L is mainly due to the utilization of the lone pair of electrons on imine moiety by the Zn(2+). The resultant fluorescent complex, [ZnL], has been used as a secondary sensing chemo-ensemble for the detection of -SH containing molecules by removing Zn(2+) from [ZnL] and forming {Cys/DTT·Zn} adducts as equivalent to those present in metallothioneins. The displacement followed by the release of the coordinated zinc from its Cys/DTT complex by heavy metal ion (viz. Cd(2+) and Hg(2+)), as in the metal detoxification process or by ROS (such as H(2)O(2)) as in the oxidative stress, has been well demonstrated using the conjugate L through the fluorescence intensity retrieval wherein the fluorescence intensity is the same as that observed with [ZnL], which in turn mimics the zinc sensing element (MTF) in biology.     

Upper rim allyl- and arylazo-coupled calix[4]arenes as highly sensitive chromogenic sensors for Hg2+ ion

The syntheses and chromogenic properties of calix[4]arenes, carrying 5,17-bisallyl-11,23-bis(p-X-phenyl)azo 3a-c, 5,11,17-triallyl-23-(p-X-phenyl)azo 4a-c, and 5,17-bis(hydroxypropyl)-11,23-bis(p-X-phenyl)azo groups on the upper rims 5a,b, are described. Unexpectedly, UV/vis spectra of the very popular 4-(4-nitrophenyl)azophenol-coupled calix[4]arenes 3c and 4c did not show any shift in lambda(max) when 10 different metal perchlorates were added separately to the host in a methanol-chloroform (v/v = 1/399) cosolvent. In contrast, the absorption spectra of calix[4]arenes with either 4-methoxyphenylazo (3b-5b) or 4-phenylazo (3a-5a) on the upper rim showed substantial bathochromic shifts (Deltalambda = 128-162 nm) upon the addition of soft metal ions (such as Hg(2+), Cr(3+), and Cu(2+)). The 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)azophenol-coupled calix[4]arenes (the 3b-5b series) are found to be highly sensitive for mercury ion (Hg(2+)) among the 10 different metal ions screened. Strong interactions between Hg(2+) ion and the 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)azophenol(s) as well as the p-allyl groups are corroborated by the (1)H NMR studies of 3a,b.Hg(2+) complexes. Furthermore, Job's plots revealed 1:1 binding stoichiometry for all these p-allyl- and arylazo-coupled calix[4]arenes with transition metal ions, and Benesi-Hilderbrand plots were used for the determination of their association constants.     

1,3-Di-amidoquinoline conjugate of calix[4]arene (L) as a ratiometric and colorimetric sensor for Zn2+: spectroscopy, microscopy and computational studies

Carboxamidoquinoline appended calix[4]arene-1,3-di-conjugate (L) has been synthesized and characterized and its single crystal XRD structure has been established. L has been shown to act as selective ratiometric turn-on fluorescence sensor for Zn(2+) up to a lowest concentration of 183 ± 18 ppb (2.82 μM) with a nine-fold enhancement by exhibiting blue-green emission. The coordination features of the species of recognition have been computationally evaluated by DFT methods and found to have distorted tetrahedral Zn(2+) center in an N(4) core. The spherical nano-structural features observed for L in TEM are being transformed into the Koosh nano-flower like structure when complexed with Zn(2+) and hence these two can be easily differentiated. Even the features observed in AFM can distinctly differentiate L from its Zn(2+) complex.     

Fluorescence switch-on sensor for Cu by an amide linked lower rim 1,3-bis(2-picolyl)amine derivative of calix[4]arene in aqueous methanol

A highly selective fluorescence switch on sensor, L for detecting Cu²⁺ has been synthesized by introducing a bis-(2-picolyl)amine moiety at the lower rim of a calix[4]arene platform via amide linkage. Binding properties of L toward ten different biologically relevant Mⁿ⁺ ions have been studied by fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy in methanol and aqueous methanol. L was found to detect Cu²⁺ selectively down to a concentration of 196 and 341 ppb, respectively, in methanol and 1:1 aqueous methanol even in the presence of other metal ions. The composition of the complex has been found to be 1:1 based on the Job plot and is further confirmed by ESI MS. The role of calix[4]arene platform as well as the pre-organized binding core in the selective recognition of Cu²⁺ has been demonstrated by studying appropriate reference molecules. The possible modes of binding of L with Cu²⁺ have been modeled by computational calculations. L and its Cu²⁺ complex could very well be differentiated based on the nano-structural features observed in SEM and AFM.     

1,3-Diamido-calix[4]arene conjugates of amino acids: recognition of -COOH side chain present in amino acids, peptides, and proteins by experimental and computational studies

Lower rim 1,3-diamido conjugates of calix[4]arene have been synthesized and characterized, and the structures of some of these have been established by single crystal XRD. The amido-calix conjugates possessing a terminal -COOH moiety have been shown to exhibit recognition toward guest molecules possessing -COOH moiety, viz., Asp, Glu, and reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH, GSSG), by switch-on fluorescence in aqueous acetonitrile and methanol solutions when compared to the control molecules via forming a 1:1 complex. The complex formed has been shown by mass spectrometry, and the structural features of the complexes were derived on the basis of DFT computations. The association constants observed for the recognition of Asp/Glu by Phe-calix conjugate, viz., 532/676 M(-1), are higher than that reported for the recognition of Val, Leu, Phe, His, and Trp (16-63 M(-1)) by a water-soluble calixarene (Arena, G., et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 1999, 40, 1597). For this recognition, there should be a free -COOH moiety from the guest molecule. AFM, SEM, and DLS data exhibited spherical particles with a hundred-fold reduction in the size of the complexes when compared to the particles of the precursors. These spherical particles have been computationally modeled to possess hexameric species reminiscent of the hexameric micellar structures shown for a Ag(+) complex of a calix[6]arene reported in the literature (Houmadi, S., et al. Langmuir 2007, 23, 4849). Both AFM and TEM studies demonstrated the formation of nanospheres in the case of GSH-capped Ag nanoparticles in interaction with the amido-calix conjugate that possesses terminal -COOH moiety. The AFM studies demonstrated in this paper have been very well applied to albumin proteins to differentiate the aggregational behavior and nanostructural features exhibited by the complexes of proteins from those of the uncomplexed ones. To our knowledge, this is the first report wherein a amido-calix[4]arene conjugate and its amino acid/peptide/protein complexes have been differentiated on the basis of spectroscopy and microscopy studies followed by species modeling by computations.     

Ratiometric fluorescence off-on-off sensor for Cu(2+) in aqueous buffer by a lower rim triazole linked benzimidazole conjugate of calix[4]arene

A benzimidazole appended triazole linked 1,3-diconjugate of calix[4]arene (L) has been synthesized and characterized. The conjugate L has been found to recognize Cu(2+) among the thirteen different metal ions studied by exhibiting ratiometric fluorescence changes through newly generated excimer band at ～380 nm. Fluorescence off-on-off behavior has been clearly demonstrated on the basis of the binding variability of Cu(2+) to L. The binding has been elicited through the changes observed in the fluorescence, ESI MS and (1)H NMR titrations. All the other metal ions studied do not show any new band and further do not interfere with the recognition of Cu(2+) by L, even when these are present in the same medium. The structural features of both the mono- and di-nuclear complexes were established by DFT computational calculations and found to display highly distorted geometry about the copper centers that deviate from both the tetrahedral and the square planar.     

新型杯[4]芳烃氨基苯酚类衍生物的合成及对La3 的选择性识别

设计合成了下缘连有氨基苯氧基结构的杯[4]芳烃衍生物:5,11,17,23-四叔丁基-25-[2-(2-氨基苯氧基)乙氧基]-27-(2-羟基乙氧基)-26,28-二羟基杯[4]芳烃(化合物C),增加了与阳离子的结合位点,有利于通过配位作用对金属离子进行识别。化合物C的结构通过红外光谱、1H NMR、13C NMR和质谱进行了表征。通过紫外可见光谱和荧光发射光谱对化合物C与24种金属阳离子的络合作用进行了研究,结果发现,其对La3+有特殊的识别作用,化合物C与La3+的络合比为1∶1。     

Calix[4]azacrown and 4-aminophthalimide-appended calix[4]azacrown: synthesis, structure, complexation and fluorescence signaling behaviour

The synthesis and single crystal structure of 25,27-(diamidomonoazacrown-5)-calix[4]arene (L), calix[4]arene capped by a diamide bridge in the 1,3-position on the lower rim, which forms a supramolecular dimer in the solid state via intermolecular hydrogen bonding, are described. A 4-aminophthalimide (AP) fluorophore has been regioselectively linked to the secondary amino function of the azacrown unit with a dimethylene spacer to construct N-(4-aminophthalimidoethyl)calix[4]azacrown (APL), a fluorescent sensor, via a fluorophore-spacer-receptor architecture. Fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime of APL have been measured to be lower than those of the bare fluorophore (AP) due to the photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer (PIET) between the fluorophore and the receptor moieties of the molecule. In the presence of transition metal ions, fluorescence enhancement of is observed suggesting the binding of the metal ion to the sensor. Complexation properties of APL with transition metal ions are investigated using UV-vis spectroscopy. A 1 : 1 stoichiometry of the complex is determined from a Job plot and the corresponding association constants for the various metal ions are evaluated. Fe(3+) and Cu(2+) ions have the largest association constants (K= 2.3 x 10(5) M(-1) and 1.6 x 10(5) M(-1) respectively) compared to other metal ions indicating that they form complexes selectively with APL.     

2,1,3-Benzoxadiazole-based selective chromogenic chemosensor for rapid naked-eye detection of Hg2+ and Cu2+

We report a simple twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) chromogenic chemosensor for rapid and selective detection of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+). The sensor was composed of an electron-acceptor 4-fluoro moiety and an electron-donor 7-mercapto-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole species where the S together with the 1-N provided the soft binding unit. Upon Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) complexation, remarkable but different absorbance spectra shifts were obtained in CH(3)CN-H(2)O mixed buffer solution at pH 7.6, which can be easily used for naked-eye detection. The sensor formed a stable 2:1 complex with Cu(2+), and both 2:1 and 3:1 complexes with Hg(2+). While alkali-, alkaline earth- and other heavy and transition metal ions such as Na(+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Ag(+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+) and Cd(2+) did not cause any significant spectral changes of the sensor. This finding is not only a supplement to the detecting methods for Hg(2+) and Cu(2+), but also adds new merits to the chemistry of 4,7-substituted 2,1,3-benzoxadiazoles.     

Synthesis and structures of an unusual germanium(II) calix[4]arene complex and the first germanium(II) calix[8]arene complex and their reactivity with diiron nonacarbonyl

The protonolysis reaction of the germanium(II) amide Ge[N(SiMe3)2]2 with calix[4]arene and calix[8]arene furnishes the two germanium(II) calixarene complexes {calix[4]}Ge2 and {calix[8]}Ge4, respectively, which have been crystallographically characterized. The calix[4]arene complex contains a Ge2O2 rhombus at the center of the molecule and is one of the only four germanium(II) calix[4]arenes that have been structurally characterized. The calix[8]arene species is the first reported germanium calix[8]arene complex, and it exhibits an overall bowl-shaped structure which contains two Ge2O2 fragments. The latter complex reacts with Fe2(CO)9 to yield an octairon compound, which has also been structurally characterized and contains four GeFe2 triangles arranged around the macrocyclic ring. The germanium(II) centers are oxidized to germanium(IV) in this process, with concomitant reduction of the neutral diiron species to Fe2(CO)(8)2- anions.     

Gold nanoparticles generated through "green route" bind Hg2+ with a concomitant blue shift in plasmon absorption peak

We discuss here a quick, simple, economic and ecofriendly method through a completely green route for the selective detection of Hg(2+) in aqueous samples. Here we exploited the ability of chitosan to generate gold nanoparticles and subsequently to act as a stabilizer for the formed nanoparticles. When chitosan stabilized gold nanoparticles (CH-Au NPs) are interacted with Hg(2+) a blue shift for its localized surface plasmon resonance absorbance (LSPR) band is observed. The blue shift is reasoned to be due to the formation of a thin layer of mercury over gold. A concentration as low as 0.01 ppm to a maximum of 100 ppm Hg(2+) can be detected based on this blue shift of the CH-Au NPs. While all other reported methods demand complex reaction steps and costly chemicals, the method we reported here is a simple, rapid and selective approach for the detection of Hg(2+). Our results also show that the CH-Au NPs have excellent selectivity to Hg(2+) over common cations namely, Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Ag(1+), Ce(4+), Ni(2+), and Cu(2+).     

Thermodynamics,a suitable reporter in the design of mercury (II) ion selective electrodes

A fully functionalised calix[4]pyrrole derivative, namely, meso-tetramethyl-tetrakis[(diethylthiocarbamoyl)phenoxy] calix[4]-pyrrole, 1 has been synthesised and structurally characterised. Its complexing properties with metal cations in acetonitrile were investigated with particular emphasis on the thermodynamics of these systems. These data and those previously reported for a partially functionalised calix[4]arene based receptor, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl[25,27 bis(diethylthiocarbamoyl)oxy]calix[4]arene, 2 were used to, i) further corroborate their use to predict the selectivity coefficients of carrier mediated mercury (II) ion selective electrodes (ISEs) and ii) to obtain approximate stability constant data from selectivity coefficients. The optimum working conditions of both electrodes were determined. It is shown that while the ISE based on 1 is characterised by a wider linear range and a lower mercury (II) detection than the one based on 2, the latter has the advantage of lower interference of other metal cations due to the much lower stability constants of bivalent cations relative to Hg(II). The response characteristics of these electrodes are compared with those found in the literature. SEM micrographs along with EDX spectra of the PVC membranes containing ionophore 1 or 2 unloaded and loaded with Hg(II) are reported.     

Interactions of neutral and cationic transition metals with the redox system of hydroquinone and quinone: theoretical characterization of the binding topologies, and implications for the formation of nanomaterials

To understand the self-assembly process of the transition metal (TM) nanoclusters and nanowires self-synthesized by hydroquinone (HQ) and calix[4]hydroquinone (CHQ) by electrochemical redox processes, we have investigated the binding sites of HQ for the transition-metal cations TM(n+)=Ag(+), Au(+), Pd(2+), Pt(2+), and Hg(2+) and those of quinone (Q) for the reduced neutral metals TM(0), using ab initio calculations. For comparison, TM(0)-HQ and TM(n+)-Q interactions, as well as the cases for Na(+) and Cu(+) (which do not take part in self-synthesis by CHQ) are also included. In general, TM-ligand coordination is controlled by symmetry constraints imposed on the respective orbital interactions. Calculations predict that, due to synergetic interactions, silver and gold are very efficient metals for one-dimensional (1D) nanowire formation in the self-assembly process, platinum and mercury favor both nanowire/nanorod and thin film formation, while palladium favors two-dimensional (2D) thin film formation.