Anion-π weak interactions in a heteroaromatic calixarene receptor. A theoretical investigation

Electronic and structural study of T315I mutated form in DFG-out conformation of BCR-ABL inhibitors

In this work, the four main drugs for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia were analyzed, being imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib and ponatinib followed by four derivative molecules of nilotinib and ponatinib. For these derivative molecules, the fluorine atoms were replaced by hydrogen and chlorine atoms in order to shade light to the structural effects on this set of inhibitors. Electronic studies were performed at density functional theory level with the B3LYP functional and 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. The frontier molecular orbitals, gap HOMO-LUMO, and NBO were analyzed and compared to docking studies for mutant T315I tyrosine kinase protein structure code 3IK3, in the DFG-out conformation. Structural similarities were pointed out, such as the presence of groups common to all inhibitors and modifications raised up on new generations of imatinib-based inhibitors. One of them is the trifluoromethyl group present in nilotinib and later included in ponatinib, in addition to the 1-methylpiperazin-1-ium group that is present in imatinib and ponatinib. The frontier molecular orbitals of imatinib and ponatinib are contributing to the same amino acid residues, and the ineffectiveness of imatinib against the T315I mutation was discussed.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Theoretical assessment of calix[4]arene-N-β-ketoimine (n=1-4) derivatives: Conformational studies, optoelectronic, and sensing of Cu2+cation

Herein, we have investigated the key functions of the calix[4]arene, abbreviated as CX [1], and designed its several derivatives by substitution of the functional groups. Molecular geometry provides an intuitive understanding of the effect of functional groups on various physical properties. The addition of the N-β-ketoimine (n = 1-4) ligands has a direct effect on the stretching vibration of the H-bonding interaction. The results showed that all molecules possess absorption bands at 190 nm and in the range between 200 and 300 nm assigned to π-π* and n-π* transitions. HOMO-LUMO energy gap of the CX[4]-N-β-ketoimine, one with chemical hardness of 1.62 eV, has been found to be 3.24 eV calculated at B3LYP/6-31 + G(d) level of theory. This finding explains the good kinetic stability of this compound. The large values of electrophilicity make the current molecules as a good electrophilic species. The atom in molecule (AIM) and the reduced density gradient (RDG) analyses showed the type and the strength of the interactions taking place between Cu²⁺ and the β-ketoimine ligands.

A theoretical study of the global and local electrophilicity, nucleophilicity, polarizability and QTAIM theory for calix[4]arene-gas interaction

The calix[4]arene molecule, abbreviated as CX[4], is known by the four phenolic groups and a hydrophobic cavity able to enclose small molecules. The interactions between CX[4] and NO3, NO2, CO2, and N2 gas molecules have been studied. These guest species are placed inside and outside the cavity of the host molecule CX[4]. The formation of H-bonding has been deeply discussed based on the infrared spectrum and the polarizability analysis. Global and local indices have been calculated for a series of gas (NO3, NO2, CO2 and N2) in interaction with the CX[4] molecule to explain the electrophilic or nucleophilic activations in endo-vs. exo-cavity interaction zone. As expected, there is a correlation between the proposed global electrophilicity and global nucleophilicity together for an explanation of the chemo-selectivity region. Finally, the topological parameter analyses of the host-guests interactions have been estimated by using DFT calculations.

Host-guest complexation studies of NO3, NO2, CO2, and N2 gas with the calix[4]arene molecule

Calix[n]arenes (abbreviated as CX[n]) are the macro-molecules based on phenol groups with a hydrophobic cavity to encapsulate a gas or small molecules. They are used as molecular vehicles. For instance, these molecules are used in the activation of the solubility of monomers in the specific media and in pharmaceutical drug delivery. The limit of the development of gaseous pollutants will be a vital subject in the future. The polluting gases NO₃, NO₂, CO₂, N₂, etc., need cage molecules, such as CX[4], to be encapsulated. In this report, the red shift of the H-bonding interactions of the CX[4]-gas (by adding the gas inside or outside the cavity) is clearly explained by the vibrational analysis. The electronic spectra of the complexes of CX[4] with NO₃, NO₂, CO₂, and N₂) exhibit a blue-shift pick in comparison with the ones observed for the CX[4] molecule. The electrophilic and nucleophilic sites of the stable host-guest have been investigated. Additionally, the non-covalent interactions have been calculated based on the reduced density gradient RDG and QTAIM theory.

DFT and TD-DFT investigation of calix[4]arene interactions with TFSI- ion

Understanding the interactions of the calix[n]arene molecules with a variety of invited chemicals entities is getting very important. In this context, we have studied a new host-guest such as the interaction of the calix[4]arenes with the bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide TFSI- ion. The energy gap has decreased from 3.53 eV to 2.11 eV indicating the reliability of the electrochemical evaluation of HOMO and LUMO energy levels. In a predominant number of cases, we obtain the spatial accumulation of HOMO and LUMO at the interface of phenol groups. Then, according to the QNBO charge distribution of these host-guests interactions, we have demonstrated the direction of charge transfer between the CX[4] molecule and the TFSI- ion. More importantly, the non covalent interactions (NCI) have been investigated that the endo-cavity position of the TFSI-4 is the most stable position between all these host-guests. By using DFT quantum methods, we have identified as a suitable host for TFSI- which can be used in the electronic technology.

Calixarenes: Generalities and Their Role in Improving the Solubility, Biocompatibility, Stability, Bioavailability, Detection, and Transport of Biomolecules

The properties and characteristics of calix[n]arenes are described, as well as their capacity to form amphiphilic assemblies by means of the design of synthetic macrocycles with a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. Their interaction with various substances of interest in pharmacy, engineering, and medicine is also described. In particular, the role of the calix[n]arenes in the detection of dopamine, the design of vesicles and liposomes employed in the manufacture of systems of controlled release drugs used in the treatment of cancer, and their role in improving the solubility of testosterone and anthelmintic drugs and the biocompatibility of biomaterials useful for the manufacture of synthetic organs is emphasized. The versatility of these macrocycles, able to vary in size, shape, functional groups, and hydrophobicity and to recognize various biomolecules and molecules with biological activity without causing cytotoxicity is highlighted.

How the electron-deficient cavity of heterocalixarenes recognizes anions: insights from computation

The nature of bridging heteroatoms in a heterocalixarene structure has a crucial role in anion recognition.