Stimulus-Controlled Anion Binding and Transport by Synthetic Receptors

Anionic species are omnipresent and involved in many important biological processes. A large number of artificial anion receptors has therefore been developed. Some of these are capable of mediating transmembrane transport. However, where transport proteins can respond to stimuli in their surroundings, creation of synthetic receptors with stimuli-responsive functions poses a major challenge. Herein, we give a full overview of the stimulus-controlled anion receptors that have been developed thus far, including their application in membrane transport. In addition to their potential operation as membrane carriers, the use of anion recognition motifs in forming responsive membrane-spanning channels is discussed. With this review article, we intend to increase interest in transmembrane transport among scientists working on host-guest complexes and dynamic functional systems in order to stimulate further developments.

Sensing and Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Dicarboxylates Using Dicopper Cryptates

We report the investigation of dicopper(II) bistren cryptate, containing naphthyl spacers between the tren subunits, as a receptor for polycarboxylates in neutral aqueous solution. An indicator displacement assay for dicarboxylates was also developed by mixing the azacryptate with the fluorescent indicator 5-carboxyfluorescein in a 50:1 molar ratio. Fluorimetric studies showed a significant restoration of fluorophore emission upon addition of fumarate anions followed by succinate and isophthalate. The introduction of hexyl chains on the naphthalene groups created a novel hydrophobic cage; the corresponding dicopper complex was investigated as an extractant for dicarboxylates from neutral water into dichloromethane. The liquid-liquid extraction of succinate-as a model anion-was successfully achieved by exploiting the high affinity of this anionic guest for the azacryptate cavity. Extraction was monitored through the changes in the UV-visible spectrum of the dicopper complex in dichloromethane and by measuring the residual concentration of succinate in the aqueous phase by HPLC-UV. The successful extraction was also confirmed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Considering the relevance of polycarboxylates in biochemistry and in the environmental field, e.g., as waste products of industrial processes, our results open new perspectives for research in all contexts where recognition, sensing, or extraction of polycarboxylates is required.

Switching of Reaction Pathway from C-C Rollover to C-N Ring-Extension Annulation

This work discloses that a simple change in the anion of a copper(II) reagent along with the reaction solvent can dramatically alter the course of a Cp*Rh^III -catalyzed C-H activation-annulation reaction leading to completely switchable chemoselective products. The nature of the anion in terms of its coordinating ability and basicity, and also the polarity of the solvent have been found to be the crucial factors in the observed divergence.

Polyamide-Polyamine Cryptand as Dicarboxylate Receptor: Dianion Binding Studies in the Solid State, in Solution, and in the Gas Phase

Polyamide-polyamine hybrid macrobicycle L is explored with respect to its ability to bind α,ω-dicarboxylate anions. Potentiometric studies of protonated L with the series of dianions from succinate (suc^2-) through glutarate (glu^2-), α-ketoglutarate (kglu^2-), adipate (adi^2-), pimelate (pim^2-), suberate (sub^2-), to azelate (aze^2-) have shown adipate preference with association constant value of K = 4900 M^-1 in a H₂O/DMSO (50:50 v/v) binary solvent mixture. The binding constant increases from glu^2- to adi^2- and then continuously decreases with the length of the anion chain. Further, potentiometric studies suggest that hydrogen bonding between the guest anions and the amide/ammonium protons of the receptor also contributes to the stability of the associations along with electrostatic interactions. Negative-mode electrospray ionization of aqueous solutions of host-guest complexes shows clear evidence for the selective formation of 1:1 complexes. Single-crystal X-ray structures of complexes of the receptor with glutaric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, and azelaic acid assist to understand the observed binding preferences. The solid-state structures reveal a size/shape complementarity between the host and the dicarboxylate anions, which is nicely reflected in the solution state binding studies.

Cu2+ recognition by N,N'-benzylated bis(amino amides)

Two new C₂-symmetric N,N'-benzylated bis(amino amides) have been synthesised and their interaction with different transition metals studied using a variety of techniques including UV-Vis and CD spectroscopy or ESI-MS. The determination of the corresponding stability constants with Cu²⁺ has been possible, in H₂O/CH₃CN 7/3 v/v, for one of these ligands (4) using potentiometric titrations. The results obtained reveal that N-benzylation affords significant changes to their properties and is accompanied by an appreciable decrease in the corresponding complexation stability constants. However, this, along with the low kinetics associated to Ni²⁺, facilitates the recognition of Cu²⁺ by 4 that can be followed by the naked-eye up to the submillimolar range. Very interestingly, the chiral nature of this ligand provides an intense and well defined CD curve for the corresponding Cu²⁺ complex, very sensitive to the coordination geometry, facilitating the analysis of this interaction even at the μM range. The formation by both ligands (3 and 4) of square planar complexes with Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ displaying a 1 : 1 stoichiometry was confirmed by their X-ray crystal structures.

Anion-induced palladium nanoparticle formation during the on-surface growth of molecular assemblies

We demonstrate a process that results in the formation of palladium nanoparticles during the assembly of molecular thin films. These nanoparticles are embedded in the films and are generated by a chemical reaction of the counter anions of the molecular components with the metal salt that is used for cross-linking these components.

Anion-Exchange Properties of Trifluoroacetate and Triflate Salts of N-Alkylammonium Resorcinarenes

The synthesis of N-benzyl- and N-cyclohexylammonium resorcinarene trifluoroacetate (TFA) and triflate (OTf) salt receptors was investigated. Solid-state analysis by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the N-alkylammonium resorcinarene salts (NARSs) with different upper substituents had different cavity sizes and different affinities for anions. Anion-exchange experiments by mixing equimolar amounts of N-benzylammonium resorcinarene trifluoroacetate and N-cyclohexylammonium resorcinarene triflate, as well as N-benzylammonium resorcinarene triflate and N-cyclohexylammonium resorcinarene trifluoroacetate showed that the NARS with flexible benzyl groups preferred the larger OTf anion, whereas the rigid cyclohexyl groups preferred the smaller TFA anions. The anion-exchange processes were confirmed in the solid state by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction experiments and in the gas phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

5'-Methylene-triazole-substituted-aminoribosyl uridines as MraY inhibitors: synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling

The straightforward synthesis of 5'-methylene-[1,4]-triazole-substituted aminoribosyl uridines is described. Two families of compounds were synthesized from a unique epoxide which was regioselectively opened by acetylide ions (for compounds II) or azide ions (for compounds III). Sequential diastereoselective glycosylation with a ribosyl fluoride derivative, Cu(i)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) with various complementary azide and alkyne partners afforded the targeted compounds after final deprotection. The biological activity of the 16 resulting compounds together with that of 14 previously reported compounds I, lacking the 5' methylene group, was evaluated on the MraY transferase activity. Out of the 30 tested compounds, 18 compounds revealed MraY inhibition with IC50 ranging from 15 to 150 μM. A molecular modeling study was performed to rationalize the observed structure-activity relationships (SAR), which allowed us to correlate the activity of the most potent compounds with an interaction involving Leu191 of MraYAA. The antibacterial activity was also evaluated and seven compounds exhibited a good activity against Gram-positive bacterial pathogens with MIC ranging from 8 to 32 μg mL(-1), including the methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Dimeric resorcinarene salt capsules with very tight encapsulation of anions and guest molecules

The N-cyclohexyl ammonium resorcinarene triflate forms two structurally different capsules with cavity volumes of 341 and 679 ų encapsulating either four or eight guest molecules, with very high packing coefficients of 0.74 and 0.67.

Exploring the binding ability of phenanthroline-based polyammonium receptors for anions: hints for design of selective chemosensors for nucleotides

The synthesis of receptor 2,6,10,14,18-pentaaza[20]-21,34-phenanthrolinophane (L1), containing a pentaamine chain linking the 2,9 positions of a phenanthroline unit, is reported. The protonation features of L1 and of receptor 2,6,10,14,18,22-hexaaza[23]-24,37-phenanthrolinophane (L2) have been studied by means of potentiometric, (1)H NMR, and spectrofluorimetric measurements; this study points out that the fluorescent emission of both receptors depends on the protonation state of the polyamine chain. In fact, the receptors are emissive only at neutral or acidic pH values, where all the aliphatic amine groups are protonated. Potentiometric titrations show that L2 is able to bind selectively ATP over TTP, CTP, and GTP. This selectivity is lost in the case of L1. (1)H and (31)P NMR measurements and molecular mechanics calculations show that the phosphate chains of nucleotides give strong electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions with the ammonium groups of the protonated receptors, while the nucleobases interact either via pi-stacking with phenanthroline or via hydrogen bonding with the ammonium groups. Of note, MM calculations suggest that all nucleotides interact in an inclusive fashion. In fact, in all adducts the phosphate chain is enclosed within the receptor cavities. This structural feature is confirmed by the crystal structure of the [(H(6)L2)(2)(TTP)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](4+) adduct. Fluorescence emission measurements at different pH values show that L2 is also able to ratiometrically sense ATP in a narrow pH range, thanks to emission quenching due to a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process from an amine group of the receptor to the excited phenanthroline.

Competitive cesium-133 NMR spectroscopic study of complexation of different metal ions with dibenzo-21-crown-7 in acetonitrile-dimethylsulfoxide and nitromethane-dimethylsulfoxide mixtures

(133)Cs NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the stoichiometry and stability of the Cs(+) ion complex with dibenzo-21-crown-7 (DB21C7) in acetonitrile-dimethylsulfoxide (96.5:3.5, w/w) and nitromethane-dimethylsulfoxide (96.5:3.5, w/w) mixtures. A competitive (133)Cs NMR technique was also employed to probe the complexation of Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Ag(+), Tl(+), NH(4)(+), Mg(2+), Ba(2+), Hg(2+), Pb(2+) and UO(2)(2+) ions with DB21C7 in the same solvent systems. All the resulting 1:1 complexes in nitromethane-dimethylsulfoxide were more stable than those in acetonitrile-dimethylsulfoxide solution. In both solvent systems, the stability of the resulting complexes was found to vary in the order Rb(+)>K(+) approximately Ba(2+)>Tl(+)>Cs(+)>NH(4)(+) approximately Pb(2+)>Ag(+)>UO(2)(2+)>Hg(2+)>Mg(2+)>Na(+).

Screening of a combinatorial library of synthetic polyamines displaying selectivity in multiple ion-pairing interactions with model polyanionic compounds in aqueous organic solutions

The biological activity of natural polyamines is due in large part to their ability to form ion-pairing interactions with polyanionic biomolecules, such as proteins, oligonucleotides, and sulfated oligosaccharides. Unfortunately, the diversity of biogenic polyamines is compromised by their limitation to only just a few internitrogen spacers. As a proof-of-principle study, a synthetic split-pool library of linear triamines was screened in an on-bead assay against a selection of model trisulfonated azo dyes (1, 2, and 3) and a short glutamate-rich nonameric peptide (4) to demonstrate its use in the discovery of selective ligands via multivalent ion pairing. From screening a 196-membered split-pool library against the dyes in aqueous organic solutions, with or without spermidine as competing ligand, it was found that the most frequent residues possessed internitrogen distances that were very similar to the sulfonate distances on the dyes. The results from these screening assays were used in the design of two polyamine sequences (8, 8Aoc(R)-8Aoc(R), and 12, 2Acc(R)-epsilonAhx(R)) for follow-up studies in solution phase. These triamines demonstrated the same selectively toward dyes 2 and 3 as observed by the solid-phase approach. In addition, resin-supported triamines, synthesized as discrete compounds, were able to selectively extract either dye 2 or 3 from a mixture of the two, further verifying the observations made from the library screening efforts. With peptide 4, containing three glutamate residues, a preference was found for rather long residues (12 and 8 carbons long), which is suggestive of a linear peptide, rather than a helical motif under the conditions of the screening.

Judging on Host−Guest Binding Mode Uniqueness: Association Entropy as an Indicator in Enantioselection

[reaction: see text] Supramolecular enantiodifferentiation was studied by isothermal titration calorimetry in an effort to address the order-disorder distinction in the diastereomeric complexes formed from a chiral macrocyclic host and enantiomeric carboxylates. As a result, the association entropy component TDeltaS emerged as an indicator in the enantioselection of tartrate 14 and aspartate 15 by the macrocycle 13 containing two guanidinium anchor groups connected to each other by four urea units. The parent monotopic guanidinium compounds 1 or 2 did not show any enantioselection for chiral carboxylates.

The interaction between ketamine and some crown ethers in common organic solvents studied by NMR: the effect of donating atoms and ligand structure

1H NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the stoichiometry and stability of the drug ketamine cation complexes with some crown ethers, such as 15-crown-5 (15C5), aza-15-crown-5 (A15C5), 18-crown-6 (18C6), aza-18-crown-6 (A18C6), diaza-18-crown-6 (DA18C6), dibenzyl-diaza-18-crown-6 (DBzDA18C6) and cryptant [2,2,2] (C222) in acetonitrile (AN), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and methanol (MeOH) at 27 degrees C. In order to evaluate the formation constants of the ketamine cation complexes, the CH3 protons chemical shift (on the nitrogen atom of ketamine) was measured as function of ligand/ketamine mole ratio. The formation constant of resulting complexes were calculated by the computer fitting of chemical shift versus mole ratio data to appropriate equations. A significant chemical shift variation was not observed for 15C5 and 18C6. The stoichiometry of the mono aza and diaza ligands are 1:1 and 1:2 (ligand/ketamine), respectively. In all of the solvents studied, DA18C6 formed more stable complexes than other ligands. The solvent effect on the stability of these complexes is discussed.

Shape-complementarity in the recognition of tricarboxylic acids by a [3+3] polyazacyclophane receptor

[structure: see text] The interaction of a macrocycle containing three trans-(1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexane units connected by p-xylene spacers with the isomers 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic (1,3,5-BTC), 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic (1,2,4-BTC), and 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic (1,2,3-BTC) acids and their relevant anions is studied by means of potentiometric and NMR analysis. The interaction is highest for the isomer 1,3,5-BTC, which perfectly fits within the macrocyclic cavity of the host species. The studies have been extended to the triacid 1,3,5-benzenetriacetic observing in this case the effect of a size mismatch between host and guest species.

Anion−Tri-s-triazine Bonding: A Case for Anion Recognition

An ab initio study of the possible interaction between several anions (F(-), Cl(-), N(3)(-), N(4)(-), and N(5)(-)) and tri-s-triazine molecule, an electron-deficient aromatic ring, has been carried out at the B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory. Minima are located corresponding to hydrogen bonding, pi-pi stacking, and reactive complexes. This novel mode of bonding suggests the development of new cyclophane-type receptors for the recognition of anions.

Binuclear Cu2+ complex mediated discrimination between l-glutamate and l-aspartate in water

L-glutamate and L-aspartate selectivity is achieved by the action of two Cu2+ metal ions rightly disposed in a cyclophane-type macrocyclic framework; electrochemical sensing of glutamate has been achieved by adsorption of the copper complexes on graphite electrodes.

A Systematic Evaluation of Molecular Recognition Phenomena. 4. Selective Binding of Dicarboxylic Acids to Hexaazamacrocyclic Ligands Based on Molecular Flexibility

The host-guest interaction between four hexaaza macrocyclic ligands (3,6,9,17,20,23-hexaazatricyclo[23.3.1.1]triaconta-1(29),11,13,15 (30),25(27)-hexaene (Bd), 3,6,9,16,19,22-hexaazatricyclo[22.2.2.2]triaconta-1(27),11(30),12,14(29),24(28),25-hexaene (P2), 3,7,11,19,23,27-hexaazatricyclo[27.3.1.1]tetratriaconta-1(33),13, 15,17(34),29,31-hexaene (Bn), 3,7,11,18,22,26-hexaazatricyclo[26.2.2.2]tetratriaconta-1(31),13(34),14,16(33),28(32),29-hexaene (P3)) and two dicarboxylic acids (oxalic acid, H2Ox; oxydiacetic acid, H2Od) have been investigated using potentiometric equilibrium methods. Ternary complexes are formed in aqueous solution as a result of hydrogen bond formation and Coulombic interactions between the host and the guest. In the [(H6P2)(Ox)]4+ complex those bonding interactions reach a maximum yielding a log KR6 of 6.08. This species has been further characterized by means of X-ray diffraction analysis showing that the oxalate guest molecule is situated inside the macrocyclic cavity of the P2 host. X-ray diffraction analysis has also been carried out for the complex [(H6Bn)(Od)2](Br)2.6H2O, where now the oxydiacetate is bonded to the host but outside the macrocyclic cavity. Competitive distribution diagrams and total species distribution diagrams are used to graphically illustrate the most salient features of these systems, which are the following: (a) The Bd and P2 ligands bind Ox significantly much more stronger than Od. This is clearly manifested for the P2:Ox:Od competitive system, where a selectivity of 92.5% in favor of the P2-Ox complexation against P2-Od is obtained at p[H] = 2.8. (b) No isomeric effect is found when comparing binding capacities of oxalate with two isomeric ligands such as P2 and Bd since their affinity to bind the substrate is relatively similar. (c) Bn and P3 ligands have a similar behavior as described in (a) for P2 and Bd except that due to the increase of cavity size the differentiation becomes smaller. (d) Less basic ligands containing two methylenic units Bd (log betaH6 = 40.42) and P2 (40.42) bind stronger to the substrates than those containing three methylenic units Bn (50.32) and P3 (50.64) even though their relative predominance depends on p[H].