Switching and fluorescence signal amplification with metal ions in allosteric systems based on 1, 3-alternate thiacalix[4]crown

New thiacalix[4]crown derivatives 4 and 5 of 1,3-alternate conformation possessing anthracene and quinoline moieties respectively were synthesised and examined for their cation recognition abilities toward different cations by fluorescence spectroscopy. Selective optical recognition with fluorescence amplification was observed for Fe(3+)/K(+) and Hg(2+)/K(+) in chemosensors 4 and 5 respectively. Further it was observed that the formation of 4·Fe(3+) complex triggers the decomplexation of K(+) ion. Similar allosteric behaviour between Hg(2+) and K(+) was observed in chemosensor 5.     

Optical chemosensor for Ag+, Fe3+, and cysteine: information processing at molecular level

A thiacalix[4]arene based chemosensor 3 bearing two pyrene groups has been synthesized which demonstrates ratiometric sensing with Ag(+) and fluorescence quenching with Fe(3+) ions in mixed aqueous media. The 'in situ' prepared Ag(+) and Fe(3+) complexes showed high selectivity toward cysteine. The molecular switching between three chemical inputs (Ag(+), Fe(3+), cysteine) results in various molecular logic gates which have been integrated sequentially to generate a sequential information processing device.     

Ratiometric detection of Hg2+ ions: an allosterically synchronized Hg2+/Li+ switch based on thiacalix[4]crown

A new heteroditopic chemosensor based on the 1,3-alternate conformation of thiacalix[4]crown shows a ratiometric fluorescence response towards Hg(2+) ions. Further, a negative allosteric behaviour between Hg(2+)/Li(+) ions is observed. Thus, metal ion exchange triggers a Hg(2+)/Li(+) switchable fluorescent chemosensor.     

Thiacalix[4]arene based fluorescent probe for sensing and imaging of Fe3+ ions

A thiacalix[4]arene based fluorescent chemosensor 3 in the cone conformation has been synthesized and its recognition behaviour is evaluated toward various metal ions in mixed aqueous media. The chemosensor 3 showed high selectivity towards Fe(3+) ions by fluorescence quenching of excimer emission. Further, evaluation of the 3·Fe(3+) complex prepared in situ demonstrated great promise for the detection of the Fe(3+) ion in the presence of amino acids, blood serum and bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution. The compound 3 has suitable permeability into the PC3 cells and can be utilized as a Fe(3+) selective sensor in living cells (PC3 cells).     

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.     

Ratiometric nanomolar detection of Cu(2+) ions in mixed aqueous media: a Cu(2+)/Li(+) ions switchable allosteric system based on thiacalix[4]crown

A novel ditopic fluorescent chemosensor 2, based on the 1,3-alternate conformation of thiacalix[4]crown possessing two complexation sites, was synthesized and shows ratiometric nanomolar detection of Cu(2+) ions and exhibits negative allosteric behaviour between Cu(2+)/Li(+) ions in mixed aqueous media.     

‘On-Off’ reversible switch for Fe and F mimicking XNOR logic function

A new pyrene-appended chemosensor based on thiacalix[4]arene of 1,3-alternate conformation has been synthesised which demonstrates selective optical recognition of Fe³⁺ and F⁻ in two contrasting modes. The chemosensor behaves as a bifunctional fluorescent switch which mimics the performance of an exclusive-NOR (XNOR) logic gate with chemical inputs of Fe³⁺ and F⁻ ions.     

Selectivity of solid-contact Ag potentiometric sensors based on thiacalix[4]arene derivatives

Potentiometric sensors based on glassy carbon electrode covered with polyaniline and thiacalix[4]arenes containing amidopyridine, morpholide, pyrrolidide and hydrazide functional groups in cone, partial cone and 1,3-alternate conformations have been developed and applied for determination of Ag(+) ions in the range from 1.0 x 10(-2) to 4.0 x 10(-7)M and limits of detection from 1 x 10(-7) to 3.5 x 10(-8)M. The sensitivity of Ag(+) detection decreases in the following range of thiacalix[4]arene substituents: morpholide>pyrrolidide>amidopyridine>hydrazide. Potentiometric selectivity coefficients predominantly showed binding of Ag(+), Hg(II) and Fe(III) ions over other transient and alkali metals. The influence of functional groups and conformation of receptor on the selectivity of the sensor response was investigated. As shown, selectivity and sensitivity of Ag(+) determination depends on the steric accessibility of the binding site and flexibility of the receptor structure. For Fe(III) ions, changes of the sensor potential are also determined by their implementation in redox reactions of polyaniline.     

A Ni2+ selective chemosensor based on partial cone conformation of calix[4]arene

Synthetic strategies are described to synthesize the calix[4]arene diamine 4 of partial cone (paco) conformation, which on condensation with 9-anthracene carbaldehyde forms the chemosensor 5 in paco conformation. The chemosensor 5 undergoes fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Ni(2+) ions.     

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.     

A new Hg(2+) -selective fluorescent sensor based on a 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene anchored with four 8-quinolinoloxy groups

A new thiacalix [4]arene derivative in a 1,3-alternate conformation bearing four quinolinoloxy groups through propyl chains has been synthesized, and its metal ion-binding and fluorescence-sensing properties were investigated in both THF and 10% H2O-THF systems. The designed ligand exhibited pronounced Hg2+ -selective on-off type fluoroionophoric properties among the representative transition and heavy metal ions including Cu2+. The detection limit for Hg2+ was found to be 2.0 x 10(-6) M in the mixed H2O-THF system. Detailed spectral studies including 1H NMR and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy reveal the unusual formation of a tetramercury complex with the ligand, in which the four propyl arms containing the quinolinoloxy groups adopt a "tetrapodand" conformation enclosing one Hg2+ ion each in the four cavities thus formed.     

Pyrene-linked triazole-modified homooxacalix[3]arene: a unique C3 symmetry ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for Pb2+

A new type of fluorescent chemosensor based on homooxacalix[3]arene was synthesized. The fluorescent sensor was highly selective for Pb(2+) in comparison with other metal ions tested by enhancement of the monomer emission of pyrene. The C(3) symmetric structure of homooxacalix[3]arene has potential application in the development of a new ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for heavy metal ions.     

Dual-mode unsymmetrical squaraine-based sensor for selective detection of Hg2+ in aqueous media

A novel chemosensor based on unsymmetrical squaraine dye (USQ-1) for the selective detection of Hg(2+) in aqueous media is described. USQ-1 in combination with metal ions shows dual chromogenic and "turn-on" fluorogenic response selectivity toward Hg(2+) as compared to Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Ba(2+), Al(3+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Ag(+), Pb(2+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+) and Co(2+) due to the Hg(2+)-induced deaggregation of the dye molecule. A recognition mechanism based on the binding mode is proposed based on the absorption and fluorescence changes, (1)H NMR titration experiments, ESI-MS study, and theoretical calculations.     

A "turn-on" fluorescent Hg2+ chemosensor based on Ferrier carbocyclization

A "turn-on" fluorescent chemosensor with excellent selectivity and satisfactory sensitivity on Hg(2+) detection in 100% water media has been established employing a carbohydrate based Ferrier carbocyclization reaction. The probe has also presented satisfactory results for the imaging of Hg(2+) ions in cells and organisms.     

Synthesis and conformational evaluation of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene-crowns

Bridging of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene afforded 1,3-dihydroxythiacalix[4]arene-monocrown-5 (3b), 1,2-alternate thiacalix[4]arene-biscrown-4 and -5 (4a,b), and 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene-biscrown-5 and -6 (5a,b), depending on the metal carbonates and oligoethylene glycol ditosylates used. Starting from 1,3-dialkylated thiacalix[4]arenes, the corresponding bridging reaction gave 1,3-alternate, partial-cone, and cone conformers 10-19, depending on the substituents present. Temperature-dependent studies revealed that the conformationally flexible 1,3-dimethoxythiacalix[4]arene-crowns 10a-c exclusively occupy the 1,3-alternate conformation. Demethylation exclusively gave the cone 1,3-dihydroxythiacalix[4]arene-crowns (3a,c), which could not be obtained by direct bridging of thiacalix[4]arene. The different structures were assigned on the basis of several X-ray crystal structures and extensive 2-D (1)H NMR studies.     

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.     

Anion receptors based on ureido-substituted thiacalix[4]arenes and calix[4]arenes

The regioselective nitration of 25,27-dipropoxythiacalix[4]arene was carried out as a key step in the synthesis of thiacalix[4]arene derivative bearing two arylureido functions on the upper rim. The preorganisation of ureido units using the thiacalix[4]arene/calix[4]arene moieties as a molecular scaffold gave novel anion receptors. These compounds, albeit based on hydrogen bonding interactions, show good complexation ability even in highly HB-competitive solvent, such as DMSO. Direct comparison of otherwise identical structures 6a and 7a revealed remarkable dominance of the thiacalix[4]arene derivative over its classical analogue in anion binding.     

The molecular recognition of tetra(p-t-butyl)tetrathiocalix[4]arene and its derivatives to heavy metal ions

The molecular recognition of tetra(p-t-butyl)tetrathiocalix[4]arene (I)and its three derivatives to heavy metal ions has been investigated by UV spectroscopy and solvent extraction. These derivatives include 5,11,17,23,-tetra-t-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis(acetylmethoxy)tetrathiocalix[4]arene (II), 5,11,17,23-tetra-t-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis(2'-hydroxypropyloxy) tetrathiocalix[4]arene (III), 5,11,17,23,-tetra-t-butyl-25,27-bis(3'-hydroxy propyloxy)tetrathiocalix[4]arene (IV). The UV spectra and solvent extraction of I show that it has an effective molecular recognition to heavy metal ions, especially to Cd(2+), while IV has a special molecular recognition to Ag(+) ion. These results confirmed the feasibilities for I to be applied in separation for toxic heavy metal ions Pb(2+), Cd(2+) and IV to be used as the sensor compound of Ag(+) ion-selective electrode.     

Thiacalix[4]arene derivatives as radium ionophores: a study on the requirements for Ra2+ extraction

The synthesis and NOE-based structural characterization is described of thiacalix[4]arene tricarboxylic acid (7), thiacalix[4]crown-5 and -6 monocarboxylic acids (2 and 5), and the bis(N-methylsulfonyl)thiacalix[4]crowns-5 and -6 (4a,b). The 226Ra2+ selectivity coefficients, log(K(Ra)ex/K(M)ex), of the new thiacalix[4]arene derivatives are compared directly with those of thiacalix[4]crown-5 and -6 (1a,b), thiacalix[4]crown-5 and -6 dicarboxylic acids (3a,b), and thiacalix[4]arene di- and tetracarboxylic acids (6 and 8). Thiacalix[4]arene dicarboxylic acid (6) already exhibits a high 226Ra2+ selectivity, but this is significantly improved in the case of 3b, having an additional crown-(6-)ether bridge. The covalent combination of a crown ether and carboxylic acid substituents as in the thiacalix[4]arenes 2,3a,b,4a,b, and 5 gives a better 226Ra2+ selectivity in the presence of Sr2+ or Ba2+ than mixtures of dibenzo-21-crown-7 and thiacalix[4]arene dicarboxylic acid (6) or of pentadecanoic acid and thiacalix[4]crown-6 (1b).     

Novel dendritic cores based on thiacalix[4]arene derivatives

Thiacalix[4]arenes possessing carboxylic groups were used for the design of potential dendritic cores with amino surface groups. The known tetraacetic acid in the 1,3-alternate conformation gave the desired product in very low yield because of steric hindrance on thiacalix[4]arene moiety. Therefore, synthetic strategy based on withdrawing of the carboxyl groups via benzylic spacer from the thiacalix[4]arene moiety was successfully applied for the realization of novel thiacalix[4]arenes bearing two or four protected lysine units.