Synthetic indole, carbazole, biindole and indolocarbazole-based receptors: applications in anion complexation and sensing

Synthesis and characterization of bis[N'-(4-carboxybenzylidene)]-pyridine-2,6-dicarbohydrazide: colorimetric and fluorometric modulation in presence of F- ions

A novel organic compound bis[N'-(4-carboxybenzylidene)]-pyridine-2,6-dicarbohydrazide (L) was synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction techniques. Tetrabutyl ammonium halides [(Bu)4N(+)X(-)] X = F, Cl, Br and I were allowed to react separately with a solution of L in DMSO (1 × 10(-5)M). The solution of L turned to shining yellow colour in the presence of F(-) ion only. The binding properties have been studied using absorption, emission and (1)H NMR titrations. Theoretical studies on compound L and compound L+X(-) (X = F, Cl and Br) in DMSO medium were carried out using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31 G(d,p)/6-31 G+(d,p) level. The theoretical calculations agreed to the experimental results.

Intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds in pyrrolylindandione derivatives and their interaction with fluoride and acetate: possible anion sensing properties

The series of push-pull compounds containing the pyrrole ring as a donor and the 1,3-indandione derived moieties as the acceptor unit were synthesized, and strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding in their molecules was studied. In the presence of fluoride and acetate anions their solutions undergo color changes. It was shown by NMR, UV-vis, and quantum chemical calculations including AIM analysis that all these compounds undergo solvent-assisted rupture of the intramolecular hydrogen bond followed by the formation of a strong intermolecular hydrogen bond with fluoride and acetate anions which finally abstract a proton from the pyrrole ring. The insensitivity of the studied compounds to other anions (Cl, Br, HSO4, PF6) is consequence of the instability of the corresponding hydrogen-bonded complexes.

The first bifluoride sensor based on fluorescent enhancement

The first fluorescent sensor for HF2(-) anion, N(1), N(3)-di(naphthalene-1-yl)isophthalamide (L) has been derived from α-Napthylamine and isopthaloyl chloride. In 1:1 (v/v) DMSO:H2O, L exhibits high selectivity towards HF2(-) anion with a 4-fold enhancement in fluorescent intensity. Very little enhancement in fluorescence intensity is observed for F(-), Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), SCN(-), PO4(3-), SO4(2-), and CH3COO(-) anions. The stoichiometry interaction between L and HF2 (-) is found to be 1:1 from fluorescence and UV/Visible spectral data. DFT calculation shows that binding between HF2(-) and L is 1:1 and increases the relative planarity between the two naphthyl rings causing fluorescence enhancement. A shift of 0.080 V in oxidation potential of L is observed on interaction with HF2(-) by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry.

Hemicyanine-based colorimetric chemosensors: different recognition mechanisms for CN- sensing

Simple hemicyanine dyes were synthesized by a classical condensation reaction. The structures of these dyes were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and FAB-Mass spectrometry. The sensing behavior of the hemicyanines towards a selection of anions was investigated by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. These structurally simple dyes displayed a rapid response and high selectivity for cyanide ion over other common anions in the DMSO/H(2)O solution. Different sensing mechanism of the dyes to cyanide ion were confirmed by (1)H NMR studies, together with theoretical calculations based on DFT and PPP-MO methods. These dyes show no colorimetric response for other anions investigated.

Indolocarbazole-based anion receptors and molecular switches

A number of indolocarbazole-based anion receptors were prepared and their anion-binding behaviors were characterized in solution and in the solid state. First, chain-length-dependent binding affinities of chloride ion were revealed using a series of indolocarbazoles that consisted of one to four indolocarbazole units. The binding affinities were steadily enhanced from monomer to dimer, then to trimer by Gibb’s free energy (–∆∆G) = 2.4 ± 0.1 kcal/mol, and then nearly saturated. Second, a water-soluble trimer folded to generate an internal helical cavity with six convergent NHs, wherein small halides bound in water in the order of Cl– (65 M–1) > F– (46 M–1), and Br– (19 M–1). Third, X-ray crystal structures clearly proved helical folding of a trimer in the presence of sulfate ion, in which left- and right-handed helices stacked alternatively. It was also shown that the selectivity of anion binding could be varied by the modification of the spacer groups connecting indolocarbazole units. Finally, we prepared chiral indolocabazole dimers that adopted helical structures by intramolecular hydrogen bonds and displayed complete inversion of the helical sense upon anion binding. The dimers gave characteristic optical readouts in a reversible manner according to chemical stimuli, thus functioning as chirooptical molecular switches.

Synthesis of 3,5-diaryl substituted indole derivatives and its selective iodide ion chemosensing

In this contribution, we have synthesized series of 1-ethyl-3,5-bis[2-(aryl)ethenyl]-1H-indole based derivatives with different functional groups using Wadsworth-Emmons coupling. The sensing ability of the receptors has been studied for halides like tetrabutylammonium fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide and bisulphate by UV-vis spectroscopy methods. In THF solution, compound A-E exhibits excellent selectivity with iodide ions over the other ions like tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr), tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBACl), tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) and tetrabutylammonium bisulphate (TBAHSO(4)). The indole cores were observed effectively and selectively recognized biologically important iodide was reported. Significant absorption change was observed only for tetrabutylammonium iodide and no change with other anions. The absorption spectra indicated the formation of complex between host and guest is in 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. The association constants of A-E for iodide ions were found to be 3.2 × 10(4) M(-1), 3.9 × 10(4) M(-1), 4.2 × 10(3) M(-1), 2.9 × 10(3) M(-1) and 2.14 × 10(3) M(-1), respectively.

Oxyanion-encapsulated caged supramolecular frameworks of a tris(urea) receptor: evidence of hydroxide- and fluoride-ion-induced fixation of atmospheric CO2 as a trapped CO3(2-) anion

A tris(2-aminoethyl)amine-based tris(urea) receptor, L, with electron-withdrawing m-nitrophenyl terminals has been established as a potential system that can efficiently capture and fix atmospheric CO(2) as air-stable crystals of a CO(3)(2-)-encapsulated molecular capsule (complex 1), triggered by the presence of n-tetrabutylammonium hydroxide/fluoride in a dimethyl sulfoxide solution of L. Additionally, L in the presence of excess HSO(4)(-) has been found to encapsulate a divalent sulfate anion (SO(4)(2-)) within a dimeric capsular assembly of the receptor (complex 2) via hydrogen-bonding-activated proton transfer between the free and bound HSO(4)(-) anions. Crystallographic results show proof of oxyanion encapsulation within the centrosymmetric cage of L via multiple N-H···O hydrogen bonds to the six urea functions of two inversion-symmetric molecules. The solution-state binding and encapsulation of oxyanions by N-H···O hydrogen bonding has also been confirmed by quantitative (1)H NMR titration experiments, 2D NOESY NMR experiments, and Fourier transform IR analyses of the isolated crystals of the complexes that show huge spectral changes relative to the free receptor.