tert-Butylthiacalix[4]arene monolayers as a biomimetic model for the oxidation of antioxidants with cytochrome c

The possibility of designing a model of sensor to antioxidants based on thiacalix[4]arene monolayers with immobilized cytochrome c was shown. The molecular surface area S ₀ of thiacalix[4]arene in the monolayers and the surface pressure coefficient ?dπ/dS (elasticity) reflect changes in the redox state of cytochrome c in the presence of dihydroquercetin and ascorbic acid in the aqueous subphase. The absorption spectra in the visible and UV ranges of solutions of the subphase and transferred thiacalix[4]arene monolayers with immobilized cytochrome c confirm the oxidation of the antioxidants to quinones and formation of the reduced form of cytochrome c.     

Unique self-assembly patterns based on thiacalix[4]arene-silver interactions

Novel self-assembled supramolecular networks were prepared by the interactions of thiacalix[4]arenes bearing simple alkyl groups on the lower rim (4×MeO-, 4×n-PrO-) with silver triflate. Contrary to the classical calix[4]arenes (with CH₂ bridges between the aromatic moieties), the presence of four sulfur atoms enables the formation of S-Ag-S connections between the individual molecules leading to the coordination topology so far unknown in calixarene chemistry. These systems form infinite 1-D coordination polymeric structures in the solid state, where the thiacalixarene moieties are preorganized in a side-by-side arrangement. Interestingly, the linear coordination polymers were obtained using both the conformational immobilised (4×n-PrO, cone, 1,3-alternate conformers) and the conformational mobile (4×MeO) thiacalix[4]arenes, which indicates the generality of this behaviour in thiacalixarene series.     

XPS,XES, and quantum chemical investigation of the electronic structure of thiacalix[4]arenes and calix[4]arene thioesters

The X-ray photoelectron and X-ray emission spectra as well as the charge state of thiacalix[4]arenes in the cone and 1,3-alternate conformations and calix[4]arene thioesters were studied. The donor ability of sulfur bridging atoms in the studied compounds was shown to be close to that in dialkyl sulfides. The internal X-ray transitions (K _α and K _β) were described by the energy of Kohn-Sham orbitals calculated by DFT method with relaxation corrections.     

S-alkylation of thiacalixarenes: a long-neglected possibility in the calixarene family

Despite the high nucleophilicity of sulfur atoms, thiacalixarenes have been alkylated only on oxygen atoms thus far. Using strong alkylating agents (triflates, trialkyloxonium salts), the substitution of the sulfur bridges has been successfully accomplished. The corresponding sulfonium salts of thiacalix[4]arene are formed regio- and stereoselectively as a completely new type of substitution pattern in thiacalixarene chemistry. These compounds possess interesting conformational behavior and could be used as unusual alkylating agents with uncommon selectivity.     

Synthesis and conformational behaviour of lower-rim tetraacetylated thiacalix[4]arenes

The acylation of thiacalix[4]arenes with AcCl or Ac₂O gave the corresponding lower-rim tetraacetoxy derivatives. In contrast to classical calix[4]arenes, tetraacetylated thiacalix[4]arenes are conformationally mobile in solution and represent a thermodynamic equilibrium of three different conformers at room temperature. As proven by a dynamic ¹H NMR study, conformational preferences of acetylated thiacalix[4]arenes considerably depend on the upper-rim substitution. Hence, t-Bu thiacalixarene prefers 1,3-alternate and 1,2-alternate conformations (43% and 38%, respectively), while the upper-rim unsubstituted compound adopts preferably the partial cone conformation (70%).     

Ionic recognition by thiacalixarenes: binding of alkali and heavy metal ions by thiacalix[4]arene-bis-crown[n] ethers

The binding properties of two thiacalix[4]arene-bis-crown[n] derivatives (n = 5 and 6) were examined through extraction experiments. The stability constants of the resulting complexes in methanol were determined. The replacement of the bridging CH2 groups by sulfur atoms leads to a strong decrease in both extraction and complexation levels of alkali metal ions but does not affect the selectivity within the series of crown ethers. The stability of complexes with heavy metal ions does not change markedly on passing from thiacalix[4]arene-bis-crown[n] ethers to their calix[4]arene-bis-crown[n] counterparts; therefore no clear-cut conclusions about the possible interactions between these cations and the sulfur atoms can be drawn.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and complexation behaviour of a thiacalix[4]arene bearing 1,2,3-triazole groups

The structure and complexation behaviour of 1,3-alternate-1,2,3-triazole based on thiacalix[4]arene,1,3-alternate-1 and 2 have been determined by means of X-ray analysis, fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray results suggested that the nitrogen atom N3 on triazole ring can act as hydrogen bond acceptors in the self-assembly of a supramolecular structure. The fluorescence spectra changes indicated that the thiacalix[4]arene bearing 1,2,3-triazole groups were highly selective for Ag⁺ in comparison with other tested metal ions by enhancement of the monomer emission of pyrene. The ¹H NMR results suggested that Ag⁺ can be strongly bonded by the triazole groups with the cooperation of the ionophoric cavity formed by the two inverted benzene rings and the sulfur atoms of the thiacalix[4]arene.     

Asymmetric synthesis of l-proline regio- and stereoselectively labelled with deuterium

A synthesis of l-proline where all of the ring methylenes are stereoselectively labelled with deuterium is described. A catalytic deuteration of protected 3,4-dehydro-l-proline using transition metal catalyst followed by RuO₄-oxidation gave a [3,4-D₂]pyroglutamic acid derivative. A syn-selective deuteration of the aminal derived from the pyroglutamate with Et₃SiD–BF₃·OEt₂ furnished (2S,3S,4R,5S)-[3,4,5-D₃]proline. The present procedure is also applied to the synthesis of the corresponding (2S,3S,4R,5R)-isomer.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a novel pyrenyl-appended triazole-based thiacalix[4]arene as a fluorescent sensor for Ag ion

New fluorescent chemosensors 1,3-alternate-1 and 2 with pyrenyl-appended triazole-based on thiacalix[4]arene were synthesized. The fluorescence spectra changes suggested that chemosensors 1 and 2 are highly selective for Ag⁺ over other metal ions by enhancing the monomer emission of pyrene in neutral solution. However, other heavy metal ions, such as Cu²⁺, and Hg²⁺ quench both the monomer and excimer emission of pyrene acutely. The ¹H NMR results indicated that Ag⁺ can be selectively recognized by the triazole moieties on the receptors 1 and 2 together with the ionophoricity cavity formed by the two inverted benzene rings and sulfur atoms of the thiacalix[4]arene.     

Topochemical photodimerization of (E)-3-benzylidene-4-chromanone derivatives from β-type structures directed by halogen groups

Halogen substituent plays an important role in the crystalline packing of aromatic compounds. The [2+2] photocycloaddition of (E)-3-benzylidene-4-chromanones in the crystalline state was investigated, and halogen substitution has been adopted to organize molecules with proper arrangement for photodimerization. Not halogen bonds, but the electron-withdrawing property of halogen atoms can enhance the face-to-face π-π interactions. Therefore, F, Cl or Br substitution at the para position of phenyl gave rise to almost the same β-structures with face-to-face π-stacking. Only resulted β-structures can undergo photodimerization, which gave the syn-HH (syn-head-to-head) products with high regio-/stereoselectivity.     

Thiacalix[4]arenes: Extraction of palladium and the electronic structure

The extractability of palladium nitro complexes with the charge state of sulfur and oxygen atoms in thiacalix[4]arenas in the cone and 1,3-alternate conformations are compared. The results of X-ray photoelectron and X-ray emission studies indicate the presence of considerable electron density on the bridging sulfur atoms, which is due to the contribution of the sulfur 3p AO to the upper occupied MOs of molecules. A series of changes in the electron density on sulfur atoms in the order calixarene thioethers > thiacalixarenes > dialkylsulfides ((C₁₀H₂₁)₂S) > (C₆H₅)₂S not completely coincide with changes in their extrability, which can be caused by different nature and stoichiometry of the formed palladium complexes.     

[2+2] photodimerization of 1-aryl-4-pyridylbutadienes through cation–π interactions

Irradiation of 1-aryl-4-pyridylbutadienes in the presence of 1 equiv of HCl produced syn and anti head-to-tail dimers, among a number of possible dimers, whereas irradiation in the absence of HCl gave a complex mixture. This indicated that the acid serves as a catalyst for the regio- and stereoselective [2+2] photodimerization of 1-aryl-4-pyridylbutadienes through cation–π interactions between the pyridinium and aromatic rings. The produced synHT dimers underwent Cope rearrangement to produce cyclooctadienes, and they were in equilibrium at a ratio of 85:15 in CDCl₃.     

Supramolecular-induced regiocontrol over the photochemical [4 + 4] cyclodimerization of NHC- or azole-substituted anthracenes

Thanks to the impressive control that microenvironments within enzymes can have over substrates, many biological reactions occur with high regio- and stereoselectivity. However, comparable regio- and stereoselectivity is extremely difficult to achieve for many types of reactions, particularly photochemical cycloaddition reactions in homogeneous solutions. Here, we describe a supramolecular templating strategy that enables photochemical [4 + 4] cycloaddition of 2,6-difunctionalized anthracenes with unique regio- and stereoselectivity and reactivity using a concept known as the supramolecular approach. The reaction of 2,6-azolium substituted anthracenes H₄-L(PF₆)₂ (L = 1a–1c) with Ag₂O yielded complexes anti-[Ag₂L₂](PF₆)₄ featuring an antiparallel orientation of the anthracene groups. Irradiation of complexes anti-[Ag₂L₂](PF₆)₄ proceeded under [4 + 4] cycloaddition linking the two anthracene moieties to give cyclodimers anti-[Ag₂(2)](PF₆)₂. Reaction of 2,6-azole substituted anthracenes with a dinuclear complex [Cl-Au-NHC–NHC-Au-Cl] yields tetranuclear assemblies with the anthracene moieties oriented in syn-fashion. Irradiation and demetallation gives a [4 + 4] syn-photodimer of two anthracenes. The stereoselectivity of the [4 + 4] cycloaddition between two anthracene moieties is determined by their orientation in the metallosupramolecular assemblies.

A supramolecular templating strategy that enables the photochemical [4 + 4] cycloaddition of 2,6-difunctionalized anthracene derivatives with unique stereoselectivity has been developed based on metal-NHC units.     

Modification of silica nanoparticles with stereisomers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylthiacalix[4]arene containing four 2-oxo-2-{[3-(triethoxysilyl)prop-1-yl]amino}ethoxy substituents at the lower rim

Three stereoisomers (cone, partial cone, and 1,3-alternate) of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene bearing four anchor propyltriethoxysilane substituents at the lower rim were synthesized for the first time. Surface modification of silica nanoparticles (d = 12 nm) with the synthesized macrocycles gave novel hybride thiacalix [4]arene?SiO₂ particles. The obtained nanostructured adsorbents were found to efficiently extract nitroaromatic compounds from aqueous solutions. The partial cone and 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene–SiO₂ hybrid particles showed affinity to nitrophenols.     

Synthesis of ACAT inhibitors through substitution using allylic picolinate and copper reagent

Amide of an octanoic acid possessing an aryl group at C3 position is a highly potent ACAT inhibitor. In this paper, we describe a synthetic access to this class of compounds as optically active forms. The key reaction is substitution of the allylic picolinate of (S,Z)-8-(benzyloxy)oct-5-en-4-ol with a copper reagent derived from (benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-4-yl)MgBr and CuBr·Me₂S to produce anti S_N2′ product regio- and stereo-selectively. The product was hydrogenated to afford (S)-3-benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-4-yloctan-1-ol, which upon oxidation furnished the octanoic acid. Finally, the acid was converted with 2,6-(i-Pr)₂C₆H₃NH₂ to the target amide via acid chloride. In a similar way, the one-carbon long homolog was synthesized.     

Stereoselective oxidation of thiacalix[4]arenes with the NaNO3/CF3COOH system

A series of alkyl substituted thiacalix[4]arene derivatives (being conformationally mobile or immobilised in the cone conformation) was used as the starting point for this study. It was demonstrated that the NaNO₃/CF₃COOH system can serve as an excellent oxidising agent. The oxidation of the bridging sulphur atoms smoothly leads to the corresponding tetrasulfoxides where alkyl and sulfoxide groups are oriented in the opposite directions in a stereoselective manner.     

Syntheses,characterization and X-ray crystal structures of Co(III) and Mn(II) complexes of pyrimidine derived Schiff base ligands

Two pyrimidine based NNS tridentate Schiff base ligands S-methyl-3-((2-S-methyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidyl)methyl)dithiocarbazate [HL₁] and S-benzyl-3-((2-S-methyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidyl)methyl)dithiocarbazate [HL₂] have been synthesised by 1:1 condensation of 2-S-methylmercapto-6-methylpyrimidine-4-carbaldehyde and S-methyl/S-benzyl dithiocarbazate. One Co(III) and one Mn(II) complex of HL₁ and one Mn(II) complex of HL₂ have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivities, magnetic susceptibilities and spectroscopic studies. All the bis-chelate complexes have a distorted octahedral arrangement with an N₄S₂ chromophore around the central metal ion. Each ligand molecule binds the metal ion using pyrimidyl nitrogen, azomethine nitrogen and the thiolato sulfur atoms. In the free ligand moieties, the pyrimidine nitrogen atoms, azomethine nitrogen atoms and thione sulfur atoms are in EEE orientation to each other. During chelation, all the donor sites of the ligands are reoriented to ZEZ configuration in order to facilitate the chelation process. In all the complexes, the respective ligand molecule functions as the monoanionic tridentate one. All complexes were analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and significant differences concerning the distortion from octahedral geometry of the coordination environment were observed.     

Solvent extraction and self-assembly of nanosized aggregates of p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes tetrasubstituted at the lower rim by tertiary amide groups and monocharged metal cations in the organic phase

New p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes functionalized with morpholide and pyrrolidide groups at the lower rim in cone, partial cone, and 1,3-alternate conformations were synthesized, and their receptor properties for monocharged cations (alkali metal and silver ions) were studied using the picrate extraction method and dynamic light scattering (DLS). To evaluate the ability of the p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arene derivatives to recognize metal ions, liquid-liquid extraction of their picrate salts has been carried out in a mutually saturated water-dichloromethane system. The degrees of extraction and the extraction constants for monocharged metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺) have been determined. The ability of the systems, consisting of host and guest molecules, to self-assembly was proved by DLS using a Zetasizer Nano ZS particle size analyzer. It was shown that all the investigated thiacalix[4]arenes are able to form nanoscale particles with silver cations under the experimental conditions. The pyrrolidide derivative in the cone conformation showed both self-association and aggregation processes with lithium cations. The degree of extraction for all the investigated systems that formed nanoscale aggregates in the organic phase was more than 67% and the extraction constants, log K_ex determined by the picrate extraction method, more than 6.     

p-tert-Butyl thiacalix[4]arenes functionalized at the lower rim by o-, m-, p-amido and o-, m-, p-(amidomethyl)pyridine fragments as receptors for α-hydroxy- and dicarboxylic acids

A series of new p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes with o-, m-, p-amido and o-, m-, p-(amidomethyl)pyridine substituents at the lower rim in cone, partial cone, and 1,3-alternate conformations were synthesized. The ability of the obtained compounds to recognize the α-hydroxy (glycolic, tartaric) and dicarboxylic (oxalic, malonic, succinic, fumaric, and maleic) acids was investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy. Also, the efficiency and selectivity of binding, the association constants log K_a (10² to 10⁷ M⁻¹) and the stoichiometry were determined for the complexes of p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes with the acids. The receptors based on p-tert-butyl thiacalix[4]arenes with (amidomethyl)pyridine substitutes are most efficient in complexation in many cases.     

Synthesis,characterization, and crystal structure of a new truly one-dimensional compound: PV2S10

PV₂S₁₀ was obtained by heating the elements in stoichiometric proportions at 490°C in evacuated Pyrex tubes. The crystal symmetry is monoclinic, space group $\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}$, with the unit cell parameters a = 12.734(8)Å, b = 7.349(7)Å, c = 23.662(4)Å, β = 95°22(1), V = 2205(4)ų, and Z = 8. The structure was solved from 2269 independant reflexions, and anisotropic least squares refinement gave R = 0.036 with 236 variables. The structure can be described as made of [V₂S₁₂] units forming endless chains themselves linked, two by two, by [PS₄] tetrahedra. In these units each vanadium is surrounded by eight sulfur atoms (mean d_VS = 2.459Å) arranged in a distorted bicapped triangular prism. Two of these prisms shared a rectangular face to form [V₂S₁₂] groups, in which intercationic distances implied vanadium-vanadium bonds (mean d_VV = 2.852(2)Å). Between the infinite double chains, only SS weak van der Waals' bonds exist. More than two thirds of the sulfur atoms are present as [SS]^?II pairs, (mean d_SS = 2.015Å); the rest are S^?II anions.