Directing the Cation Recognition Ability of Calix[4]arenes toward Asymmetric Phase-Transfer Catalysis

α-Methylbenzylamine Functionalized Crown-Ether-Appended Calix[4]arene Phase Transfer Catalyst for Enantioselective Henry Reaction

In this letter, we designed a highly selective α-methylbenzylamine functionalized crown-ether-appended calix[4]arene derived phase transfer catalyst for asymmetric nitroaldol reaction to provide the desired nitroaldol adducts in high yields (up to 99 % yield) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99.8 % ee).

A General Method for High-Pressure-Promoted Postfunctionalization of Unclosed Cryptands: Potential Phase-Transfer Catalysts

We report a high-pressure approach to facile late-stage functionalization of unclosed cryptands (UCs) (11 examples, yield up to 99%). Direct comparison of classic and high-pressure conditions of the quaternization reaction in a sterically crowded intraannular position is investigated, and differences in the reactivity of tertiary amine substrates are discussed. Finally, we demonstrated the application of UCs as catalysts for synthetically important alkylation reactions under phase-transfer conditions.

A phenyl glycinol appended calix[4]arene film for chiral detection of ascorbic acid on gold surface

This paper describes the synthesis of new chiral calix [4]arene derivative having (R)-2-phenylglycinol moiety (compound 6), and its chiral recognition studies for ascorbic acid (AA) enantiomers by using Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM). Initial experiments indicated that the outstanding selective chiral recognition (α) was observed as 2.61 for l-enantiomer of AA. The sensitivity (S) and the limit of detection (LOD) values for L-AA were calculated as 0.0226 Hz/μM and 0.63 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the sorption behavior and mechanism of AA onto compound 6 film were evaluated and the sorption data exhibited a good correlation with the Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum uptake of L-AA by the sensor was found as 5895.76 mg/g. In conclusion, chiral recognition of AA enantiomers as real-time, sensitive, selective and effective was performed by a calixarene derivative coated QCM sensor.

Unprecedented Diastereoselective Arylogous Michael Addition of Unactivated Phthalides

The first highly enantioselective arylogous Michael reaction (AMR) of 3-unsubstituted phthalides has been described. This phase-transfer methodology, which uses catalytic amounts of KOH/18-crown-6 catalyst in mesitylene in the presence of N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA), gives access to a broad range of 3-monosubstituted phthalides with high levels of syn diastereoselectivity and good yields, starting from 3-unsubstituted derivatives and diverse α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The reaction also applies to unactivated 3-alkyl phthalides to afford 3,3-dialkyl derivatives. A plausible mechanism has been suggested. DFT analysis of possible transition states gives a rationale of the high syn diastereoselectivity observed and its correlation with the solvent's dielectric constant.

Asymmetric phase-transfer catalysed β-addition of isoxazolidin-5-ones to MBH carbonates

A novel high yielding, enantio- and diastereoselective protocol for the synthesis of α-allylated highly functionalised β-amino acid derivatives by adding isoxazolidin-5-ones to MBH carbonates under asymmetric phase-transfer catalysis has been developed.

Asymmetric Michael addition reactions catalyzed by calix[4]thiourea cyclohexanediamine derivatives

A number of upper rim-functionalized calix[4]thiourea cyclohexanediamine derivatives have been designed, synthesized and used as catalysts for enantioselective Michael addition reactions between nitroolefins and acetylacetone. The optimal catalyst 2 with a mono-thiourea group exhibited good performance in the presence of water/toluene (v/v = 1:2). Under the optimal reaction conditions, high yields of up to 99% and moderate to good enantioselectivities up to 94% ee were achieved. Detailed experiments clearly showed that the upper rim-functionalized hydrophobic calixarene scaffold played an important role in cooperation with the catalytic center to the good reactivities and enantioselectivities.

Recent applications of chiral calixarenes in asymmetric catalysis

The use of calixarenes in asymmetric catalysis is receiving increasing attention due to their tunable three-dimensional molecular platforms along with their easy syntheses and versatile modification at the upper and lower rims. This review summarizes the recent progress of synthesis and use of chiral calixarenes in asymmetric syntheses which emerged later than 2010.