Synthesis of Chiral Crownophanes Having Two Phenolic Groups via Tandem Claisen Rearrangement and Their Chiral Recognition

Asymmetric crownophanes having a chiral binaphthyl unit and two phenolic hydroxyl groups were thermally synthesized from the corresponding macrocyclic ethers via tandem Claisen rearrangement. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic studies and HPLC experiments confirmed that little racemization of these crownophanes occurred during the thermal rearrangement. The association constants for the interaction of the chiral crownophanes with the enantiomers of phenylethylamine, phenylglycinol, and phenylalaninol were determined by a ¹H NMR titration method in CD₂Cl₂. As a result, the 27 membered crownophane has some chiral recognition for phenylglycinol.     

Amidocrownophanes as Anion Receptor

Crownophanes composed of 28-membered ring atoms having two hydroxy groups, two amide groups, and aromatic parts such as naphthalene rings and either pyridine or benzene ring, can bind anions with high affinity and selectivity. The anion-coordination ability of these species has been observed by ¹H NMR techniques. As anion guest molecules, we selected some halides, dihydrogenphosphate and acetate ions. It has been found that amidocrownophanes, 3 and 4, can recognize anions in the order;H₂PO ₄ ⁻ >F⁻>CH₃COO⁻>Cl⁻>>Br⁻ and I⁻, while not only 1, 2, and 5 having no hydroxy group but also 6 having 27-membered ring have no ability for anion recognition under the same conditions. In order to exhibit the recognition ability for anion receptor, plural amide groups, hydroxy groups, and m-phenylene or 1,6-pyridyl rigid part play an important role in this macrocyclic system.