Synthesis and Comparison of Extraction Properties of p‐tert‐Butylcalix[n]arene Nitrile Derivatives for Selected Metals and Dichromate Anions

The article describes the syntheses and extraction properties of two p‐tert‐butylcalix[6]arene nitrile derivatives (3 and 4). The trinitrile derivative 3 has been synthesized from 5,11,17,23,29,35‐hexa‐tert‐butyl‐37,38,39,40,41,42‐hexahydroxycalix[6]arene 1. The compound 1 was directly converted to its hexanitrile derivative 4. In these syntheses, it was thought to explore the role of nitrile sites in the extraction of various metal cations and HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions. The liquid‐liquid extraction properties of 3 and 4 towards selected alkali/transition metal cations and HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions are reported. It has been observed that receptor 3 does not extract alkali/transition metal cations effectively, but shows affinity towards HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions at low pH. The compound 4 is an effective form for transferring Ni²⁺ selectively, while it shows poor transferring ability for HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions from an aqueous into a dichloromethane layer. It was observed that the cavity size of the calix[n]arenes and the cooperativity of the functionalities play important roles in two phase extraction systems.     

Synthesis,binding and fluorescence studies of a new neutral H-bonding receptor for anions based on 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylurea

The synthesis and anion binding studies of the new neutral receptor 1,1′-(2,2′-(4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diyl)bis(2-oxoethane-2,1-diyl))bis(3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)urea) (L1) are reported. L1 is a macrocyclic ligand containing the 3,5-trifluoromethylphenylureido-binding fragment attached as a side arm on the tetraazacyclododecane. L1 is soluble in numerous organic solvents; the binding properties of L1 towards several simple anions (G) were investigated by NMR, UV–vis and fluorescence techniques in DMSO and CH₃CN solutions. L1 is able to bind F^? , Cl^?  and AcO^?  in both solvents; in addition, it binds Br^?  in CH₃CN. Fluoride shows the highest constant values in the halide series (F^?  > Cl^?  > Br^? ) and AcO^?  is the most strongly bound among all the anions investigated. L1 is able to signal the presence of the anions in solution by fluorescence change; in the case of acetate, this occurs in the visible range.     

Synthesis and anion binding of 2-arylazo-meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrroles

2-Arylazo-5,5,10,10,15,15,20,20-octamethylcalix[4]pyrroles (azo-OMCPs) have been synthesised by the reaction of calix[4]pyrrole with aryldiazonium chloride in 15–45% yields. The solution-state binding studies of the synthesised hosts were investigated by absorption spectroscopy and ¹H NMR in DMSO and CDCl₃, respectively. These receptors, appended with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups, displayed enhanced affinity and selectivity for fluoride anion. Well-defined colour change in the visible region of the spectrum was observed upon addition of fluoride ion in DMSO solution of azo-OMCPs. Detailed NMR studies in CDCl₃ revealed that azo-OMCPs with nitro and chloro groups have higher binding affinity for fluoride ion.

     

Chromogenic amides of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid as anion receptors

The synthesis of simple, chromogenic pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid amides, derivatives of isomeric nitroanilines and aminonitrophenols, and their ion binding properties are described. The ligands' response to ionic species was examined by naked eye and was studied with the use of UV–vis spectroscopy in DMSO and its mixture with water. The effect of the localisation and the type of the substituents in aromatic rings were discussed. ¹H NMR experiments were carried out to probe the mechanism of anion recognition, i.e. complexation via hydrogen bond formation versus ligand deprotonation. A selective response of N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (L5) towards dihydrogen phosphate was found in both DMSO and DMSO–water (95:5) solvent mixture. The structure of N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (L4) was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.