First enantiopure calix[6]aza-cryptand: synthesis and chiral recognition properties towards neutral molecules

Selective recognition of neutral guests in an aqueous medium by a biomimetic calix[6]cryptamide receptor

A hydrophilic calix[6]cryptamide decorated with oligo(ethylene glycol) units was synthesized. This compound behaves as a biomimetic receptor for neutral guests in an aqueous medium.

Primary amine recognition in water by a calix[6]aza-cryptand incorporated in dodecylphosphocholine micelles

A zinc calix[6]azacryptand complex was incorporated into dodecylphosphocholine micelles. This complex can strongly and selectively bind linear primary amines in an aqueous medium.

Enantiopure supramolecular cages: synthesis and chiral recognition properties

Enantiopure compounds are ubiquitous in the chemical sciences and present a particular interest in the field of molecular recognition and host-guest systems. Indeed, chiral molecular receptors are at the basis of numerous biological recognition processes and have important implications in biochemistry or pharmacology. Chemists have been investigating this field for several decades, which has led to the development of the synthesis of chiral hosts, their enantiomeric differentiation, and the studies of their recognition properties towards important and bio-relevant chiral guest substrates. The design of molecular cages is a rather difficult task that is even more demanding when enantiopure molecules are required. In this review we chose to present the main families of synthetic organic supramolecular cages that have been developed, whose structures contain stereogenic centers or present an inherent chirality, giving rise to chiral supramolecular cages. Particular attention is given to obtaining enantiopure compounds. Their recognition properties are also underlined. A last important aspect of the review is to present how chiroptical spectroscopies can be used to characterize the recognition phenomena displayed by supramolecular cages.

Ipso-Nitration of calix[6]azacryptands: intriguing effect of the small rim capping pattern on the large rim substitution selectivity

The ipso-nitration of calix[6]arene-based molecular receptors is a important synthetic pathway for the elaboration of more sophisticated systems. This reaction has been studied for a variety of capped calixarenes, and a general trend for the regioselective nitration of three aromatic units out of six in moderate to high yield has been observed. This selectivity is, in part, attributed to the electronic connection between the protonated cap at the small rim and the reactive sites at the large rim. In addition, this work highlights the fact that subtle conformational properties can drastically influence the outcome of this reaction.

Synthesis and study of calix[6]cryptamides: A new class of heteroditopic receptors that display versatile host-guest properties toward neutral species and organic associated ion-pair salts

The synthesis of a new family of molecular receptors, namely the calix[6]cryptamides, was achieved through an original [1+1] macrocyclization step that consists of a peptide-coupling reaction between tripodal triscarboxylic acids and a calix[6]trisamine subunit. Several C3- or C3v-symmetrical calix[6]arene-based compounds capped by a trisamido cryptand unit on the narrow rim have been obtained, with the more flexible partners leading to the best yields. These calix[6]cryptamides exhibit two favorably positioned binding sites for the complexation of organic-associated ion pairs in close proximity: a well-defined calix[6]arene cavity suitable for the inclusion of ammonium ions and a cryptamide unit for the coordination of anions. We demonstrate one example, chiral calix[6]cryptamide 12, that constitutes a heteroditopic receptor capable of cooperatively binding both a primary ammonium ion and its chloride counterion, thanks to a combination of polarization and induced-fit effects. In addition, the hydrophobic calixarene cavity of 12 can strongly bind neutral guests through hydrogen bonding and is capable of discriminating between different enantiomers. All these versatile host-guest properties differ greatly from those observed in the parent calix[6]azacryptands.

Allosteric Tuning of the Intra-Cavity Binding Properties of a Calix[6]arene through External Binding to a ZnII Center Coordinated to Amino Side Chains

Molecular recognition by calix[6]arene-based receptors bearing three primary alkylamino side chain arms (1) is described. Complexation of Zn(II) ion provides the dinuclear mu-hydroxo complex 2G(OH), XRD characterization of which, together with solution studies, provided evidence of its hosting of neutral polar organic guests G. Treatment of this complex with a carboxylic acid or a sulfonamide (XH) results in the formation of mononuclear species 3G(X), one of which (X = Cl) has been characterized by XRD. A dicationic complex 3G(RNH2) is obtained upon treatment of 2G(OH) with a mixture of an alkylamine and a strong acid. Each of these Zn(II) complexes features a tetrahedral metal ion bound to the three amino arms of ligand 1 and to an exogenous ligand (either HO-, X-, or RNH2) sitting outside of the cavity. As a result, the metal ion structures the calixarene core, constraining it in a cone conformation suitable for guest hosting. The receptor properties of these compounds have been explored in detail and are compared with those of the trisammonium receptor 1G(3H+), based on the same calixarene core, as well as those of the trisimidazole-based dicationic Zn funnel complexes. This study reveals very different host properties, in spite of the common hydrophobic, pi-basic, and hydrogen-bonding acceptor properties of the calixarene cores. A harder external ligand produces a less polarized receptor that is consequently particularly sensitive to the hydrogen-bonding ability of its guest. The less electron-rich the apical ligand, and a fortiori the trisammonium host, the more sensitive the receptor to the dipole moment of the guest. All this stands in contrast with the funnel Zn complexes, in which the coordination link plays a dominant role. It is also shown that the asymmetry of an exo-coordinated enantiopure amino ligand is sensed by the guest. This supramolecular system nicely illustrates how the receptor properties of a hydrophobic cavity can be allosterically tuned by the environment.

Efficient Synthesis and Host−Guest Properties of a New Class of Calix[6]azacryptands

Two members of a new class of calix[6]azacryptands, namely, calix[6]tampo and calix[6]tamb, have been synthesized through an efficient [1 + 1] macrocyclization reaction--reduction sequence. One of them has been obtained in a remarkably high overall yield from the known X(6)H(3)Me(3). In comparison to all the other calix[6]azacryptands, they possess unique conformational properties since they present a rigidified cone conformation with a partial filling of the cavity by the methoxy groups. In contrast to calix[6]tampo, the fully protonated derivative of calix[6]tamb behaves as a remarkable molecular receptor toward polar neutral guests. NMR studies have shown that the intracavity binding process is governed by a conformational flip of the aromatic walls of the calixarene core.

Efficient Synthesis of Calix[6]tmpa: A New Calix[6]azacryptand with Unique Conformational and Host–Guest Properties

A new C(3v)-symmetrical calix[6]azacryptand, that is, calix[6]tmpa (11), was synthesized by efficient [1+1] macrocyclization reactions. Remarkably, both linear and convergent synthetic strategies that were applied lead to equally good overall yields. Calix[6]tmpa behaves as a single proton sponge and appeared reluctant to undergo polyprotonation, unlike classical tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (tmpa) derivatives. It also acts as a good host for ammonium ions. Interestingly, it strongly binds a sodium ion and a neutral guest molecule, such as a urea, an amide, or an alcohol, in a cooperative way. A (1)H NMR study indicated that the ligand, as well as its complexes, adopt a major flattened cone conformation that is the opposite of that observed with the previously reported calix[6]cryptands. Characterization of the monoprotonated derivative 11H(+) by X-ray diffraction also revealed the presence of a 1,3-alternate conformation, which is the first example of its kind in the calix[6]arene family. This conformer is probably also present in solution as a minor species. The important covalent constraint induced by the polyaromatic tmpa cap on the calixarene skeleton, and conversely from the calix core onto the tmpa moiety, is the likely basis for the unique conformational and chemical properties of this host.