Dinuclear barium(II) complexes based on a calix[4]arene scaffold as catalysts of acyl transfer

Two novel regioisomeric calix[4]arene derivatives (2 and 3), decorated with two aza[18]crown-6 units at vicinal (1,2) or diagonal (1,3) positions of the upper rim, were synthesized. The catalytic activities of their dinuclear Ba2+ complexes were investigated in the ethanolysis of esters 8-11, endowed with a carboxylate anchoring group. Major results are as follows: 1) the two metal ions in the dinuclear catalysts work together in a cooperative fashion; 2) the vicinal calix[4]arene catalyst 2 is far superior to its diagonal regioisomer 3 in the reactions of all of the investigated esters; and 3) the distance between the carboxylate and ester carbonyl, which increases regularly from 8 to 11, influences reactivity of catalytic ester cleavage in a way that is decidedly suggestive of the importance of a good match between ester size and metal-to-metal distance. However, the superiority of the vicinal catalyst 2 relative to 3 cannot be explained on the basis of the putative match of ester size to intermetal distance, thus providing an indication that additional, still poorly understood effects may contribute significantly to catalytic efficiency.     

Calix[4]arene-based Zn2+ complexes as shape- and size-selective catalysts of ester cleavage

[structures: see text] The kinetics of methanolysis of a number of esters endowed with a carboxylate anchoring group have been investigated in the presence of di- and trinuclear Zn2+ complexes of calix[4]arenes functionalized at the upper rim with nitrogen ligands. The results (i) emphasize the importance of a good match between ester size and intermetal distance, (ii) reveal a substrate independent superiority of the 1,2-vicinal dinuclear catalyst 1-Zn2 to its 1,3-distal regioisomer 2-Zn2, and (iii) provide further evidence for the concurrence of the three metal ions of 3-Zn3 in the catalytic mechanism.     

Catalysis of diribonucleoside monophosphate cleavage by water soluble copper(II) complexes of calix[4]arene based nitrogen ligands

Calix[4]arenes functionalized at the 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,2,3-positions of the upper rim with [12]ane-N(3) ligating units were synthesized, and their bi- and trimetallic zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes were investigated as catalysts in the cleavage of phosphodiesters as RNA models. The results of comparative kinetic studies using monometallic controls indicate that the subunits of all of the zinc(II) complexes and of the 1,3-distal bimetallic copper(II) complex 7-Cu(2) act as essentially independent monometallic catalysts. The lack of cooperation between metal ions in the above complexes is in marked contrast with the behavior of the 1,2-vicinal bimetallic copper(II) complex 6-Cu(2), which exhibits high catalytic efficiency and high levels of cooperation between metal ions in the cleavage of HPNP and of diribonucleoside monophosphates NpN'. A third ligated metal ion at the upper rim does not enhance the catalytic efficiency, which excludes the simultaneous cooperation in the catalysis of the three metal ions in 8-Cu(3). Rate accelerations relative to the background brought about by 6-Cu(2) and 8-Cu(3) (1.0 mM catalyst, water solution, pH 7.0, 50 degrees C) are on the order of 10(4)-fold, largely independent of the nucleobase structure, with the exception of the cleavage of diribonucleoside monophosphates in which the nucleobase N is uracil, namely UpU and UpG, for which rate enhancements rise to 10(5)-fold. The rationale for the observed selectivity is discussed in terms of deprotonation of the uracil moiety under the reaction conditions and complexation of the resulting anion with one of the copper(II) centers.     

Cooperativity between metal ions in the cleavage of phosphate diesters and RNA by dinuclear Zn(II) catalysts

A series of ligands containing linked 1,4,7-triazacyclononane macrocycles are studied for the preparation of dinuclear Zn(II) complexes including 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropane (L2OH), 1,5-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)pentane (L3), 2,9-bis(1-methyl-1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (L4), and alpha,alpha'-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-m-xylene (L5). The titration of these ligands with Zn(NO(3))(2) was monitored by (1)H NMR. Each ligand was found to bind two Zn(II) ions with a very high affinity at near neutral pH under conditions of millimolar ligand and 2 equiv of Zn(NO(3))(2). In contrast, a stable mononuclear complex was formed in solutions containing 5.0 mM L2OH and 1 equiv of Zn(NO(3))(2). (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral data are consistent with formation of a highly symmetric mononuclear complex Zn(L2OH) in which a Zn(II) ion is sandwiched between two triazacyclononane units. The second-order rate constant k(Zn) for the cleavage of 2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP) at pH 7.6 and 25 degrees C catalyzed by Zn(2)(L2O) is 120-fold larger than that for the reaction catalyzed by the closely related mononuclear complex Zn(L1) (L1 = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane). By comparison, the observation that the values of k(Zn) determined under similar reaction conditions for cleavage of HPNP catalyzed by the other Zn(II) dinuclear complexes are only 3-5-fold larger than values of k(Zn) for catalysis by Zn(L1) provides strong evidence that the two Zn(II) cations in Zn(2)(L2O) act cooperatively in the stabilization of the transition state for cleavage of HPNP. The extent of cleavage of an oligoribonucleotide by Zn(L1), Zn(2)(L5), and Zn(2)(L2O) at pH 7.5 and 37 degrees C after 24 h incubation is 4,10, and 90%. The rationale for the observed differences in catalytic activity of these dinuclear Zn(II) complexes is discussed in terms of the mechanism of RNA cleavage and the structure and speciation of these complexes in solution.     

New artificial receptors from selectively functionalized calix[4]arenes

Abstract

The development of new synthetic methods for the monoalkylation of calix[4]arenes at the lower rim allows the synthesis of a new class of trihydroxamate siderophores. Three chelating hydroxamic acid units are introduced through a sequence of reactions which blocks the macrocycle in the cone conformation. The new ligands obtained form neutral 1:1 complexes (FeL) with iron (III), which are stable in EtOH/H₂O 9:1 at pH 2–7. Calix[4]arene bis-crown ethers are prepared by exploiting the selective 1,2-(proximal) functionalization of calix[4]arenes at the lower rim. These ligands are, however, less effective in complexing alkali metal cations compared with the 1,3-calix[4]arene crown-ethers which, in their partial cone structure, offer a better shielding for the complexed cations. Rigid upper rim-bridged calix[4]arenes potentially useful for the inclusion of neutral molecules are prepared by exploiting the selective 1,3-diformylation of calix[4]arene at the upper rim. Finally a new chloromethylation method for calix[4]arenes blocked in the cone conformation is described together with the synthesis of new cavitands.     

Upper rim guanidinocalix[4]arenes as artificial phosphodiesterases

Calix[4]arene derivatives, blocked in the cone conformation and functionalized with two to four guanidinium units at the upper rim were synthesized and investigated as catalysts in the cleavage of the RNA model compound 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate. When compared with the behavior of a monofunctional model compound, the catalytic superiority of the calix[4]arene derivatives points to a high level of cooperation between catalytic groups. Combination of acidity measurements with the pH dependence of catalytic rates unequivocally shows that a necessary requisite for effective catalysis is the simultaneous presence, on the same molecular framework, of a neutral guanidine acting as a general base and a protonated guanidine acting as an electrophilic activator. The additional guanidinium (guanidine) group in the diprotonated (monoprotonated) trifunctional calix[4]arene acts as a more or less innocent spectator. This is not the case with the tetrasubstituted calix[4]arene, whose mono-, di-, and triprotonated forms are slightly less effective than the corresponding di- and triguanidinocalix[4]arene derivatives, most likely on account of a steric interference with HPNP caused by overcrowding.     

The enhancement of luminescent properties of Tb3+ complexes with tetra-1,3-diketone ligands promoted by the tetrathiacalix[4]arene scaffold

This is the first report on the synthesis and characterization of tetra-1,3-diketone derivatives of tetrthia- and calix[4]arenes substituted by acetylacetonyl or dipivaloylmethanyl moieties at the upper rim and bearing hydroxyl groups at the lower rim as ligands for Tb³⁺ complexes. The spatial structure and tautomeric content for the synthesized ligands have been determined by means of X-ray, IR and NMR spectroscopy. Comparison of the sensitizing properties of tetrathiacalix[4]arenes and their calix[4]arene analogues on the Tb³⁺-centered luminescence in DMF solutions has been performed. A substantial enhancement of the luminescent properties of Tb³⁺- complexes with tetra-1,3-diketone ligands promoted by the tetrathiacalix[4]arene scaffold was established.     

Steric effects on the catalytic activities of zinc(ii) complexes containing [12]aneN(3) ligating units in the cleavage of the RNA and DNA model phosphates

A series of N-methylated mono- and di-[12]aneN(3) ligands () have been synthesized and characterized. The steric effects on the catalytic activities of their mononuclear and dinuclear zinc(ii) complexes in the cleavage of a RNA model 2-hydroxypropyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNPP, ) and a DNA model methyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphates (MPNPP, ) in methanol have been investigated at 25 °C. In the cleavage of phosphate catalyzed by the mononuclear complexes, derived from the N-methylation in the [12]aneN(3) backbone, the plots of k(obs)versus [Zn(ii)] changed from an upward curvature to linearity with increasing level of methylation, indicating that N-methylations led to a reduction of dinuclear association that was responsible for the synergetic effect. Compared to the activities of the complex with non-methylated di-[12]aneN(3) ligand, those of the dinuclear zinc(ii) complex (Zn(2)-), which has the two N-methyl groups, were reduced by two orders of magnitude as measured by the second-order rate constants and synergetic effect in the cleavage of both model compounds. For reactions catalyzed by the fully N-methylated dinuclear complex (Zn(2)-), no synergetic effect was observed. Nevertheless, complex Zn(2)- still showed the remarkable catalytic efficiency, with rate accelerations of 10(9-10)-fold in the cleavage of each of the two phosphates relative to the background reactions, and the synergetic effects of up to 561 folds. pH jump experiments confirmed that the rate-limiting step in the cleavage of by Zn(2)- involved the binding process, while that in the reaction with was the chemical cleavage of the P-O bond. Steric effects in the cleavage reactions were analyzed in detail and were compared with the electronic effect caused by oxy anion bridging group in the di-[12]aneN(3) ligand and also with the hydrophobic effect observed in other systems. The work has further confirmed that the combination of the cooperativity between two metal ions and a medium effect could result in excellent catalytic activities for the cleavage of phosphate diesters.     

The properties of the new Mn(II)–Co(II)–Mn(II)-type hetero-trinuclear oxime metal complexes with N4 and N4O2 ligands

1,3- and 1,2-calix[4]crown-7 and calix[4]crown-9 cone conformers were synthesized in acceptable yields by sequential introduction of two distal or proximal polyethylene glycolic chains with terminal hydroxyls at the lower rim, monotosylation, and intramolecular ring closure reaction. According to the two-phase extraction experiment, the title compounds showed mediocre affinity for alkali and alkaline earth metal picrates. The 1,2-calix[4]crown-9 extracted Sr²⁺ selectively among other alkaline earth metal cations.     

Rationally designed, polymeric, extended metal-ciprofloxacin complexes

Reactions of the antimicrobial fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin (cfH) with metal salts in the presence of aromatic polycarboxylate ligands or under basic conditions produce fourteen new metal-cfH complexes, namely, [Ba2(cf)2(1,4-bdc)(H2O)2] x H2O (1), [Sr6(cf)6(1,4-bdc)3(H2O)6] x 2H2O (2), [M2(cfH)2(bptc)(H2O)2] x 8H2O (M = Mn3 and Cd4), [M(cfH)(1,3-bdc)] (M = Mn5, Co6, and Zn7), [Zn2(cfH)4(1,4-bdc)](1,4-bdc) x 13H2O (8), [Ca(cfH)2(1,2-Hbdc)2] x 2H2O (9) and [M(cf)2] x 2.5H2O (M = Mn10, Co11, Zn12, Cd13, and Mg14) (1,4-bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, bptc = 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylate, 1,3-bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate, 1,2-bdc = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate). Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and thermogravimetric analyses. The structures of 1 and 2 consist of unique two-dimensional arm-shaped layers. Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural and feature one-dimensional structures formed from the interconnection of [M2(cfH)2(H2O)2] dimers with bptc ligands. Compounds 5-7 are isostructural and contain double-chain-like ribbons constructed from [M2(cfH)2(CO2)2] dimers and 1,3-bdc. Compound 8 consists of a pair of [Zn(cfH)2]2+ fragments bridged by a 1,4-bdc into a dinuclear dumbbell structure. Compound 9 is a neutral monomeric complex. To the best of our knowledge, compounds 1-9 are the first examples of metal-quinolone complexes that contain aromatic polycarboxylate ligands. Compounds 10-14 are isostructural and exhibit interesting two-dimensional rhombic grids featuring large cavities with dimensions of 13.6x13.6 A. Up to now, polymeric extended metal-cfH complexes have never been reported.     

Efficient and selective cleavage of RNA oligonucleotides by calix[4]arene-based synthetic metallonucleases

Di- and trinuclear copper(II) complexes of [12]aneN3 macrocycles anchored at the upper rim of cone calix[4]arenes in 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,2,3-positions were investigated as cleaving agents of 6-, 7-, and 17-meric oligoribonucleotides. A kinetic investigation of the cleavage reactions was carried out using gel electrophoresis to separate and analyze reactants and products having a radioactive phosphate label in the terminal 5'-position. The degree of cooperation was assessed on the basis of a comparison with rates of cleavage by mononuclear controls. A remarkable selectivity of cleavage of the CpA phosphodiester bond was observed for all metal complexes, in sharp contrast with the UpU and UpG selectivity previously observed in the cleavage of diribonucleoside monophosphates by the same metal complexes. The highest rate acceleration, brought about in the cleavage of the 5'-pCpA bond in hexanucleotide 9 by 50 muM trinuclear complex 5-Cu3 (water solution, pH 7.4, 50 degrees C), amounts to 5 x 105-fold, as based on the estimated background reactivity of the CpA dimer. Selectivity in the cleavage of oligoribonucleotides by copper(II) complexes closely resembles that experienced by ribonuclease A and by a number of metal-independent RNase A mimicks. The possible role of the dianionic phosphate at the 5'-terminal positions as a primary anchoring site for the metal catalyst is discussed.     

Hydrolysis and DFT structural studies of dinuclear Zn(II) and Cu(II) macrocyclic complexes of m-12N3O-dimer and the effect of pH on their promoted HPNP hydrolysis rates

The synthesis of the ligand, m-12N₃O-dimer (1,3-bis(1-oxa-4,7,10-triazacyclododecan-7-yl)methyl)benzene, L), and the stability and hydrolysis constants of its dinuclear Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes are reported, in addition to the effect of pH on HPNP (2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenylphosphate) hydrolysis reaction rates promoted by these complexes. Various structural possibilities of the [Zn₂L] and [Cu₂L] hydrolytic species derived from solution equilibrium modeling are predicted from density functional theory (DFT) studies to correlate with the promoted HPNP hydrolysis reaction rates and to establish the structure–function–reactivity relationship. Upon deprotonation [Zn₂L(OH)]³⁺ tends to form a structure with a “closed-form” conformation where it is not possible for para-isomers. At pH >8, the formation of the closed-form [Zn₂L(OH)₂]²⁺ and [Zn₂L(μ-OH)(OH)₂]⁺ species led to faster promoted HPNP hydrolysis rates than the [Zn₂L(OH)]³⁺ species. On the other hand, the observed rates of the Cu₂L-promoted HPNP hydrolysis reaction were much slower than those of the [Zn₂L]-promoted ones due to formation of the inactive, di-μ-OH^? bridged closed-form [Cu₂L(μ-OH)₂]²⁺ structure at high pH. The effects of solvent molecules and the use of higher DFT computation levels, i.e., M06 and M06–2X, in conjunction with cc-pVDZ and cc-pVTZ basis sets on the DFT-predicted structures for both [Cu(12N₄)(H₂O)]²⁺ and [Zn(12N₃O)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ complexes were also evaluated and compared with those using the B3LYP/6–31G* method.     

Catalytic activity for decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by metal complexes of water-soluble thiacalix[4]arenetetrasulfonate on the modified anion-exchangers

The catalytic activity for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by anion-exchangers modified with metal complexes of thiacalix[4]arenetetrasulfonate (Me(n+)-TCAS[4], Me(n+)=Mn(3+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(3+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+) and Ni(2+)) was investigated. As a reference, calix[4]arenetetrasulfonate, calix[6]arenehexasulfonate and calix[8]areneoctasulfonate were also examined. Mn(3+)- and Fe(3+)-TCAS[4] on the modified anion-exchangers showed high catalytic activity in alkaline buffer solutions among metal complexes tested. Mn(3+)- and Fe(3+)-TCAS[4] on the modified anion-exchangers exhibited high and constant levels of catalytic activity even after having been used 5 times, and showed catalytic activity in the presence of an excess of H(2)O(2) over Mn(3+)- and Fe(3+)-TCAS[4] on the modified anion-exchangers. Only Mn(3+)-TCAS[4] on the modified anion-exchangers exhibited high catalytic activity at around a neutral pH.     

Construction of the Active Site of Metalloenzyme on Au NC Micelles

For developing an efficient nanoenzyme system with self-assembly strategy, gold nanocrystal micelles (Au NC micelles) with inserted catalytic Zn(II) centers were constructed by self-assembly of a catalytic ligand [N,N-bis(2-aminoethyl)-N’-dodecylethylenediamine] Zn(II) complexes (Zn(II)L) on the surface of Au NC via hydrophobic interaction. The functionalized Au NC micelles acted as an excellent nanoenzyme model for imitating ribonuclease. The catalytic capability of the Au NC micelles was evaluated by accelerating the cleavage of 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP). These functionalized Au NC micelles exhibited considerable ribonuclease-like activities by a factor of 4.9×104 (kcat/kuncat) for the cleavage of HPNP in comparison to the spontaneous cleavage of HPNP at 37 ℃. The catalytic capability of the functionalized Au NC micelles can be considerably compared to other models reported previously as nanoenzymes under the comparable conditions.     

The synthesis of novel polysiloxanes with pendant hand-basket type calix[6]crowns and their transporting properties for metal ions in a liquid membrane

Two novel polysiloxanes with pendant hand-basket type calix[6]-1,3-crown-3 and calix[6]-1,4-crown-4 were prepared by hydrosilylation of p-tert-butylcalix[6]-(2′-allyloxymethyl)-1,3-crown-3 (CA[6]C3) and p-tert-butylcalix[6]-[2′-(ω″-undecenyloxymethyl)]-1,4-crown-4 (CA[6]C4) followed by condensation reaction with silanol-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. The monomeric calix[6]crowns and two calix[6]crown-based polysiloxanes were used as carriers in a bulk membrane. All carriers showed the transport rate of the cations decreased in the order Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺. The flux of K⁺ for the monomeric calix[6]crown was higher than that for polymeric carrier. In comparison with other carriers, the transport rate of calix[6]crown-4-functionalized polysiloxanes (CA[6]C4PS) towards cesium ions were increased greatly. Competitive transport experiments known to be more useful in industrial fields also revealed to give high cesium transfer rate.     

A New Family of Indoaniline-Derived Calix[4]arenes: Synthesis and Optical Recognition Properties as a Chromogenic Receptor(1)

A new family of indoaniline-derived calix[4]arenes has been synthesized for the purpose of developing a new chromogenic receptor. A condensing reaction of calix[4]arene (1) with 4-(diethylamino)-2-methylaniline hydrochloride (2) in the presence of an oxidizing agent under alkaline conditions affords mono- (3), 1,2-bis- (4), 1,3-bis- (5), and tetrakisindoaniline-derived (6) calix[4]arenes after careful column chromatography. Compound 3 is crystallized from a CHCl(3)-MeOH solution, and the crystal structure was determined by X-ray analysis. The crystal is monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, a = 19.507(6) ?, b = 18.591(6) ?, c = 8.524(2) ?, beta = 94.69(2) degrees. The final R value for 2406 reflections of F(o) > 3sigma(F(o)) is 0.085. A unique intramolecular hydrogen-bonding network involving the carbonyl oxygen of indoaniline for 3 implied that the quinone carbonyl group as an acceptor of the chromophore can easily be subjected to an electrostatic interaction in the lower rim. Indeed, 1,3-bis(indoaniline)-derived 2,4-bis((ethoxycarbonyl)methoxy)calix[4]arene 7, prepared by the reaction of 5 with ethyl bromoacetate in the presence of NaH, is capable of undergoing an efficient ion-dipole interaction between the binding cation and the two quinone carbonyl groups of the chromophores, so that a selective Ca(2+)-induced pronounced color change (wavelength change > 100 nm) occurs with an association constant on the order of 10(6) in 99% EtOH, making 7 of potential use as an optical sensor for Ca(2+) detection. The IR and NMR studies have indicated that Ca(2+) is encapsulated in the cavity made by the distally located OCH(2)CO(2) groups on the lower rim of the cone-shaped calix[4]arene segment. Interestingly, however, the shape of the cavity in which Ca(2+) has been encapsulated does not have a C(2) axis of symmetry, as inferred from the (1)H-(1)H COSY experiment. On the other hand, 1,2-bis(indoaniline)-derived analogue 8 shows no response with metal ions, which can be interpreted to mean the absence of a cavity for encapsulation on the lower rim.     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure of Bis-terpyridinyl-calix[4]arene Derivatives and Fluorescent Sensor for Zn2+

The calix[4]arene-based podands which incorporates two terpyridinyl functional groups derived from the alkylation reactions of 4-(ω-chloroalkoxyphenyl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine in 1,3-alternate position at lower rim have been prepared in moderate yields. The structures of four pyridyl compounds were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction method. The complexing properties of bis-terpyridinyl-calix[4]arenes for transition metal ions were investigated by fluorescence spectra. Bis-terpyridinyl-calix[4]arenes gave a more efficient fluorescent sensing ability to Zn²⁺.     

Cleavage of phosphate diesters mediated by Zn(II) complex in Gemini surfactant micelles

The cleavage of 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP) catalyzed by the Zn(II)-biap (biap: N,N-bis(2-ethyl-5-methylimidazole-4-ylmethyl)aminopropane) complex has been investigated spectrophotometrically in a micellar solution of cationic Gemini surfactant 16-2-16 [bis(hexadecyldimethylammonium)ethane bromide] and CTAB (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) at 25+/-0.1 degrees C. The experimental results reveal that a higher rate of acceleration (about 2016-fold) of HPNP cleavage promoted by the Zn(II)-biap complex has been observed in the 16-2-16 micellar solution in comparison with the background rate (k(0)) of HPNP spontaneous cleavage at 25 degrees C. Reaction rates of HPNP cleavage in CTAB micellar solutions are only about 40% of that in Gemini 16-2-16 micelles under comparable conditions. In addition, the cleavage rates of HPNP in Gemini micelles and in CTAB micelles are respectively 29.5 times and 12 times faster than that in aqueous buffer. Especially, a "sandwich absorptive mode" has been proposed to explain the acceleration of HPNP cleavage in a cationic micellar solution.     

Syntheses and structures of Mn(II), Co(II), and Zn(II) complexes of 1,3-diterpyridyl-substituted p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene

The calix[4]arene-based podand which incorporates two terpyridine functions in 1,3-alternate positions with flexible propylene spacers at lower rim has been prepared and subjected to complexation studies with some transition metal ions. Single-crystal structures of Mn(II), Co(II), and Zn(II) complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction. These metal complexes are formed with a 2?:?1 ratio of metal and ligand. Coordination of each metal is five-coordinate distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry by three nitrogen atoms from a terpyridyl unit and two chloride atoms.     

Chromogenic indoaniline armed-calix[4]azacrowns

Two novel chromogenic 1,3-alternate calix[4]azacrown (1) and calix[4]-bis-azacrown (2) in which an indoaniline chromophore was attached on the nitrogen atom of the azacrown unit with one methylene spacer were synthesized. The 1H NMR spectrum of the ligand 1 and Ca2+ proved that the metal ion is entrapped by the calix[4]azacrown unit and by the conjugated indoaniline system. From the UV/vis band shifts upon metal ion complexation, Zn2+ ion was found to give the largest band shifts compared to other metal cations, indicating that Zn2+ ion (K(a) = 18 760 M(-)(1) for 1 and K(a) = 19 930 M(-1) for 2) was selectively encapsulated by the calix[4]azacrown cavity with assistance of the pendent indoaniline sidearm.