Molecular recognition of amphiphilic p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene with organic ammoniums

The binding abilities and thermodynamic origin for the intermolecular complexation of two water-soluble calixarenes, p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC4A) and 5,11,17,23-tetrasulfonato-25,26,27,28-tetrakis(n-butyl)-calix[4]arene (SC4A-Bu), with six organic cations: 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (G1), 3,5,6,8,-tetrahydropyrazino[1,2,3,4-Imn][1,10]phenanthroline (G2), diquat (G3), paraquat (G4), 1-methylpyridin-1-ium (G5) and 1,3-dimethylimidazolium (G6), have been determined by means of isothermal titration calorimetry in aqueous solutions at pH 7.0, 298.15 K, and their binding modes have been investigated by NMR spectroscopy. The obtained results indicate that the binding modes of SC4A-Bu and SC4A change a little but their binding affinities show great difference, resulting from the distinguishable binding thermodynamics. The binding selectivity of G1 is up to 688 times for the SC4A/SC4A-Bu hosts, and SC4A-Bu prefers to include planer molecules of large π system with low electron density. The aggregation behaviours of SC4A-Bu before and after complexation with G3 were then investigated, showing that G3 is able to induce the aggregation of SC4A-Bu.     

Study on the intermolecular complexation behavior between p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene with l-tyrosine

The formation of the complexation behavior of host molecules water-soluble p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (p-SCX4) with l-tyrosine (l-Tyr) guest molecule has been studied by spectrophotometric including fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Experimental conditions including concentration of p-SCX4 and medium acidity were investigated in detail. The results showed that p-SCX4 forms 1:1 complexes with l-Tyr in water. Their stability constant determined by spectrofluorometric titration is 15761 L mol. Moreover, to obtain information about the binding mechanism of the interaction, ¹H NMR studies were carried out showing that the water-soluble p-SCX4 was found to be able to complex the aromatic l-Tyr, and the part of benzene ring of amino acid penetrated into the hydrophobic cavity of calix[4]arene and charged aliphatic chain of l-Tyr stick out of the cavity. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters for the complexation of p-SCX4 with l-Tyr were determined through Van’t Hoff analysis. The obtained data further confirmed the binding mode of p-SCX4 with l-Tyr. The related mechanism is proposed to explain the complexation processes.     

Triple molecular recognition as a directing element in the formation of host-guest complexes with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and beta-cyclodextrin

We have investigated a mixture consisting of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (CX4), beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD), and 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (1) and its bridgehead-substituted derivative (2) in the absence and presence of Zn(2+). In the absence of Zn(2+), four equally populated host-guest complexes exist in solution, as projected from their comparable binding constants (ca. 1000 M(-1)). However, upon the addition of Zn(2+), the formation of a ternary complex, CX4 x 1 x Zn(2+), is induced by a synergy of three supramolecular interactions (Coulombic, hydrophobic, and weak metal-ligand bonding). Concomitantly, the CX4 x 2 complex is destabilized by competitive binding, which drives the system toward a state where only two complexes predominate: namely, CX4 x 1 x Zn(2+) and beta-CD x 2. Known binding constants for the multiple equilibria were used to model the complex system, and the results were consistent with experimental data obtained from 1D and 2D NMR as well as induced circular dichroism (ICD) spectroscopy. The combined results demonstrate how a subtle interplay between cooperative and competitive binding can be exploited to design a complex multicomponent sorting system.     

Selective single crystal complexation of L- or D-leucine by p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene

p-Sulfonatocalix[6]arene, organised in the 'double cone' conformation, has multi-guest capability binding either L- or D-leucine in a single crystal in a bi-layer type arrangement from a racemic mixture of the amino acid.     

The structure of water in p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

Tetrasodium p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene exists as a hydrate with approximately 14 water molecules and has three polymorphic modifications, all of which contain a water molecule in the molecular cavity that is engaged in OH···π interactions. Single-crystal neutron structures are reported for two of these three forms and reveal a "compressed" water molecule with short OH bonds. Partial atomic charges and hardness analysis (PACHA) calculations based on the neutron coordinates give an OH···π interaction energy of 6.9-7.5 kJ mol(-1). The PACHA analysis also reveals the dominance of the charge-assisted hydrogen bonds from the Na(+)-coordinated water molecules. The instability of the crystal towards dehydration can be traced to an uncoordinated lattice water site. The remarkable calixarene-Na(+)-hydrate motif is conserved almost unchanged across all three polymorphs. A single-crystal neutron structure is also reported for pentasodium p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene·12H(2)O, which exhibits an intracavity water molecule that is engaged in both OH···π and OH···O hydrogen bonding. The shorter covalent bond to the hydrogen atom that forms the interaction with the aromatic ring is again apparent.     

Discrimination of guests encapsulation in large hexameric molecular capsules in solution: pyrogallol[4]arene versus resorcin[4]arene capsules

NMR experiments demonstrate that, although 2b and 3b form hexameric capsules in chloroform solutions and despite the very similar building units of these hexamers, 3b encapsulates only the noncharged trialkylamines while 2b can encapsulate both the noncharged trialkylamines and the respective ammonium salts obtained by the addition of DCl. In fact, it was found that protonation that forms in situ the ammonium salt ejects the guest from the hexameric capsule of 3b. This is a general observation as it was found for guests containing alkyl chains of four, five, six, and eight carbons.     

Supramolecular vesicles of cationic gemini surfactants modulated by p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

Supramolecular binary vesicles were constructed by host-guest complex formation between p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and three cationic gemini surfactants, which were identified by UV-vis, dynamic laser scattering, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and surface tension experiments. The critical aggregation concentration of gemini surfactants decreased pronouncedly by a factor of ca. 1000 owing to the complexation of p-sulfonato-calix[4]arene.     

Chromatographic molecular recognition for catechol-related compounds using thiacalix[4]arene as an effective selector

Thiacalix[4]arene (5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxy-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene) is an amphiphilic molecule comprising four p-tert-butylphenol-like groups ortho-linked by single sulfur atoms. This molecule has a high electron density area owing to the close proximity of the hydroxyl groups and sulfur atoms. We studied the applicability of this interesting compound as a selector for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) thereby presumably exploiting this feature. Firstly, uniformly sized polymer particles were prepared by using a multi-step swelling and polymerization method with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as a cross-linker. Methacrylic acid (MAA) was introduced onto the surface of the resulting polymer particles through a new modification method. Thiacalix[4]arene was chemically bonded through the MAA group by using 1,4-dibromobutane as a spacer to reduce steric hindrance around the MAA and the polymer particle itself. The performance of the prepared polymer-based thiacalix[4]arene-modified stationary phase was evaluated with HPLC. Specific chromatographic retention behavior was observed for catechol relative to positional isomers of xylene, cresol, and benzene-diol. Catecholamine and catechol showed specific chromatographic retention behavior.     

Molecular recognition of organic guest vapor by solid adamantylcalix[4]arene

A series of inclusion compounds prepared by saturation of the solid adamantyl[4]calixarene (host 1) with vaporous organic guests at 298 K was studied by thermal gravimetry and static headspace GC analyses. The sorption isotherms of guests by host 1, the stoichiometry of the guest—host inclusion compounds, and the Gibbs energies of their formation were determined. The data obtained give evidence of the molecular recognition of the guest shape by host 1. Hence, compound 1 can be used in sensors for recognizing volatile organic compounds with no strong hydrogen or donor-acceptor bonds involved.     

A novel spectrofluorometric method for the determination of methiocarb using an amphiphilic p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

The characteristics of host-guest complexation between tetrabutyl ether derivatives of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC4Bu) and methiocarb [3,5-dimethyl-4-(methylthio) phenyl methylcarbamate] were investigated by fluorescence spectrometry. Upon addition of methiocarb, the fluorescence intensity of SC4Bu was quenched regularly and a slight red shift was observed for the maximum emission peak. These results indicated that the SC4Bu-methiocarb complex was formed a 1:1 mole ratio. An association constant of 1.67×10(4) L mol(-1) was calculated by applying a deduced equation. The interaction mechanism of the inclusion complex was discussed. Based on the results, a novel spectrofluorimetric method was described for the determination of methiocarb with a detection limit at 0.05 μg mL(-1). This method is very simple and shows high sensitivity and selectivity. Moreover, the proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of methiocarb in water samples.     

Investigation of the upper rim binding of triphenylpyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

The interaction of 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene is studied using absorption, emission, NMR and electrochemical techniques. The increase in the absorption is observed with the increase in the concentration of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene. The emission intensity of 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium cation is also enhanced in the presence of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene. The electrochemical titration reveals the presence of host–guest interaction. The NMR analysis explains the upper rim interaction of 2,4,6-triphenypyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene. The mode of binding is studied using computational methods. The quantum chemical simulations reveal the binding orientation of cationic TPP with p-SC4. The calculated complexation energy (??33.19 kcal mol^?1) indicates the strong binding nature of 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium cation with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene.     

Complexation of phenols by calix[4]arene Diethers in a low-permittivity solvent. Self-switched complexation by 25,27-Dibenzyloxycalix[4]arene

To improve the selectivity of sensing, the thermodynamics of the complex formation of some calix[4]arene hosts with neutral phenol guests was studied in carbon tetrachloride as nonpolar solvent. The molecular shape of calixarenes was varied by the selective functionalization with tBu and O-CH2-Ph (O-benzyl) or OPr groups at the upper and lower rim, respectively. To vary the electron density on the guest's aromatic rings, the parent phenol was functionalized in the para position with electron-withdrawing Cl, as well as H, and electron-releasing CH3 and tBu groups. To study the interaction between calixarene and the guests, PL and quantum-chemical methods were applied. The results revealed an overall 1:1 complex stoichiometry except for the parent dibenzyloxycalix[4]arene, where 1:2 host-guest stoichiometries were observed irrespective of the quality of phenol. In the latter case, the complex formation shows a self-switched character: the first phenol molecule is included in the calixarene cavity, and only afterward, a second guest molecule is bound by the two benzyloxy aromatics. Although the enthalpy change predicts strong interaction between the host and the guest, the Gibbs free energy change of the complex formation is small, resulting in a relatively low complex stability. The solvent-relaxation measurements support that the unexpected entropy change could be the consequence of the reorientation of solvent molecules around the calixarene building block. The reorientation is assisted by dispersive forces between solute and solvent molecules. IR and RAMAN analysis of the complexes exclude a considerable participation of the phenolic OH group in the stabilization of the complex. This result is in agreement with earlier findings where deterministic role of pi-pi interaction in the complex stability was assumed.     

Binding of monovalent metal cations by the p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene: experimental evidence for cation-pi interactions in water

Gibbs free energies, enthalpies and entropies for the binding of Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, Ag+, Tl+ and NH4+ by the p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene in water are determined by microcalorimetry. Whereas no significant heat effect is detected with Na+ or Ag+, suggesting that these cations are not complexed, weak but selective binding is observed with the other cations. The whole set of thermodynamic parameters, which demonstrate that the cations bind inside the cavity of the calixarene, evidence the importance of the cation-pi interactions for these complexes in water.     

A new packing motif for para-sulfonatocalix[4]arene: the solid state structure of the para-sulfonatocalix[4]arene D-arginine complex

The solid-state structure of the complex of para-sulfonatocalix[4]arene with d-arginine, contains a water channel diagonal to a zigzag bilayer of the host, within the bilayer six crystallographically independent molecules of arginine are present, four being included in the calix cavities.     

First structural authentication of third-sphere coordination: [p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene]5- as a third-sphere ligand for Eu3+

Abstract

The central feature of the complicated structure of Na[Eu₃(p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene)₂(OH₂)18(ONC₅H₅)₃]·14 H₂O is the coordination sphere of one of the three independent europium atoms. Its first coordination sphere consists of seven water molecules, the oxygen atom of a pyridine N-oxide molecule, and a sulfonate oxygen atom from one of the two independent calix[4]arenes. The second-sphere coordination consists of the second calix[4]arene which is bound to the coordinated pyridine N-oxide via hydrophobic interactions, and a second pyridine N-oxide which is hydrogen bonded to a coordinated water molecule. The third-sphere coordination consists of the binding of the second-sphere coordinated pyridine N-oxide to the cavity of the first-sphere coordinated calix[4]arene. Na[Eu₃(p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene)₂(OH₂)₁₈(ONC₅H₅)₃]·14 H₂O crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 20.973(2), b = 18.678(2), c = 29.502(4)Å, β = 109.19(1)°, and D_c = 1.74 g cm^?3 for Z = 4. Refinement based on 10,043 observed reflections led to a final R value of 0.091.     

Exploiting phenyl embraces and pi-stacking in the assembly of arrays of tetraphenylphosphonium p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

Phenyl embraces involving tetraphenylphosphonium cations feature in complexes of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene where a phenyl ring of a cation is included in the cavity of the calixarene. The overall structures are based on pseudo-polymorphic supramolecular arrays and their formation is templated or induced by lanthanide ions.     

Binding of inorganic cations by p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene monitored through competitive fluorophore displacement in aqueous solution

A new working principle for detecting inorganic cation binding by water-soluble calix[4]arenes involves the displacement of a fluorescent azoalkane as guest. Fluorescence regeneration is observed for various metal ions, and binding of monovalent cations (alkali and ammonium) to p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene is detected and quantified for the first time.     

Interplay of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and crown ethers en route to molecular capsules and "Russian dolls"

Diffusion-ordered (1)H NMR spectroscopy techniques have been used to determine the binding strength of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SO(3)[4]) towards a number of charged crown ether species in aqueous conditions. For several (doubly) charged (di)azacrown ethers, all were bound by SO(3)[4] either well or very well with binding constants between 5.1 x 10(2)-9.9 x 10(5) M(-1). These results correlate with, and thus explain the phenomenon of rapid capture of azacrown ethers in molecular capsules based on p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and lanthanide metals. Similarly, the formation of "Russian doll" superanions in the solution phase is also elucidated. These superanions have been shown to selectively crystallise particular polynuclear aquated metal ions from mixtures in the aqueous phase. Neutral [18]crown-6 is not bound by p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and displays a binding constant of 0 M(-1). When sodium [18]crown-6 is examined in a similar fashion, binding by SO(3)[4] is observed in solution with K(a) approximately 3.1 x 10(3) M(-1).