A [2]catenane containing an upper-rim functionalized calix[4]arene for anion recognition

Upper rim-bridged calixarenes

Calix[n]arenes represent a very attractive family of macrocyclic compounds with many potential supramolecular applications. Due to their well-established chemistry and many different synthetic strategies, enabling practically any derivatization of the basic skeleton, calixarenes are among the very popular building blocks used for the design and construction of various receptors, sensors and other sophisticated supramolecular systems. Regio- and/or stereo-selective derivatization of calixarenes currently represents a very extensive set of reactions, the overview of which would fill many thick books. Therefore, this review deals with only a small part of the above-mentioned reactions, specifically describes possible ways of bridging the upper rim of calixarenes, often leading to interesting rigidified structures, and also briefly mentions the potential use of these compounds.

Supramolecular chemistry of two new bis(1,2,3-triazolyl)pyridine macrocycles: metal complexation, self-assembly and anion binding

Two new macrocycles containing the bis(1,2,3-triazolyl)pyridine (btp) motif were prepared in high yields from a btp diazide precursor (1). Solution ¹H NMR studies show that this diazide undergoes self-assembly with divalent transition metal ions to form ML₂ complexes with pendant azide groups, apparently suitable for conversion into metal-templated catenanes; however attempts to form these catenanes were unsuccessful. Instead a new macrocycle containing two btp motifs was prepared, which forms a nanotube structure in the solid state. Reduction of the azide groups to amines followed by amide bond formation was used to convert 1 into macrocycle 8 containing btp and isophthalamide functionalities. This macrocycle binds halide and oxalate anions in acetonitrile solely through the isophthalamide motif, and binds aromatic dicarboxylates very strongly through both the isophthalamide amide donors and the btp triazole donors. The macrocycle was complexed with Pd(II) and the resulting complexes were shown to bind strongly to halide anions. The solid state structures of [Pd·8·X]BF₄ (X = Cl^-, Br^-, I^-) were investigated by X-ray crystallography, which showed that [Pd·8·Br] forms an unusual "chain of dimers" structure assembled by metal complexation, N-H⋯Br^- hydrogen bonding and short Pd⋯Pd contacts.

Olefin metathesis reaction as a locking tool for macrocycle and mechanomolecule construction

The present review deals with an updated visit to the olefin metathesis reaction as a powerful tool for the construction of sophisticated macromolecular architectures.

Through-the-annulus threading of the larger calix[8]arene macrocycle

A complete study of the through-the-annulus threading of the larger calix[8]arene macrocycle with di-n-alkylammonium cations has been performed in the presence of the "superweak" TFPB counterion. Thus, it was found that such threading occurs only upon partial preorganization of the calix[8]arene macroring by intramolecular bridging. In particular, 1,5-bridged calix[8]arenes with a meta- or para-xylylene bridge (2 and 3) gave pseudo[2]rotaxanes in which one dialkylammonium axle (4a-4e(+)) was threaded into one of the two subcavities of the calix[8]-wheel. Conformational studies by using chemical shift surface maps and DFT calculations evidenced a 3/4-cone geometry for these subcavities. Higher pseudorotaxane K(ass) values were obtained for calix[8]-wheels 2 and 3, with respect to calix[6]-host 1a, due to the cooperative effect of their two subcavities. Dynamic NMR studies on calix[8]-pseudorotaxanes evidenced a direct correlation between K(ass) (and ΔG(ass)) values and energy barriers for calix inversion due to the effectiveness of thread templation. In accordance with DFT calculations, an endo-alkyl preference, over the endo-benzyl one, was observed by threading calix[8]-wheel 3 with the directional n-butylbenzylammonium axle 4d(+).

Catenation of calixarene annulus

Through-the-annulus-catenated calixarenes have been obtained, for the first time, by exploiting the "superweak anion" approach that allows the threading of the calix cavity with functionalized dialkylammonium axles. In addition, the first example of a stereoprogrammed synthesis of a catenane orientational isomer (an oriented calix[2]catenane) has been obtained, after macrocyclization, by using a directional alkylbenzylammonium axle.

Complexation of 1,4-bis(pyridinium)butanes by negatively charged carboxylatopillar[5]arene

The binding behavior of substituted 1,4-bis(pyridinium)butane derivatives (X-Py(CH(2))(4)Py-X, X = H, 2-methyl, 3-methyl, 4-methyl, 2,6-dimethyl, 4-pyridyl, and 4-COOEthyl) 1(2+)-7(2+), with negatively charged carboxylatopillar[5]arene (CP5A) has been comprehensively investigated by (1)H NMR and 2D ROESY and UV absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in aqueous phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2). The results indicated that the position of the substituents attached on pyridinium ring dramatically affects the association constants and binding modes. 3- and 4-Substituted guests (1(2+), 3(2+), 4(2+), 6(2+), 7(2+)) form [2]pseudorotaxane geometries with CP5A host, giving very large association constants (>10(5) M(-1)), while 2,6-dimethyl-substituted 5(2+) forms external complex with relatively small K(a) values [(2.4 ± 0.3) × 10(3) M(-1)] because the 2,6-dimethylpyridinium unit is too bulky to thread the host cavity. Both of the binding geometries mentioned above are observed for 2(2+), having one methyl group in the 2-position of pyridinium. Typically, the association constant of [2]pseudorotaxane 1(2+)⊂CP5A exceeds 10(6) M(-1) in water, which is significantly higher than those of previously reported analogues in organic solvents. The remarkably improved complexation of bis(pyridinium) guests by the anionic host was due to electrostatic attraction forces and hydrophobic interactions.

Rotaxanes capable of recognising chloride in aqueous media

A new, versatile chloride-anion-templating synthetic pathway is exploited for the preparation of a series of eight new [2]rotaxane host molecules, including the first sulfonamide interlocked system. (1)H NMR spectroscopic titration investigations demonstrate the rotaxanes' capability to selectively recognise the chloride anion in competitive aqueous solvent media. The interlocked host's halide binding affinity can be further enhanced and tuned through the attachment of electron-withdrawing substituents and by increasing its positive charge. A dicationic rotaxane selectively binds chloride in 35% water, wherein no evidence of oxoanion binding is observed. NMR spectroscopy, X-ray structural analysis and computational molecular dynamics simulations are used to account for rotaxane formation yields, anion binding strengths and selectivity trends.

Complex interactions of pillar[5]arene with paraquats and bis(pyridinium) derivatives

The complexation behavior of a series of paraquats (G1.2PF(6)-G5.2PF(6)) and bis(pyridinium) derivatives (G6.2PF(6)-G14.2PF(6)) with pillar[5]arene (P5A) host has been comprehensively investigated by (1)H NMR, ESI mass and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. It is found that P5A forms 2 : 1 external complexes with N,N'-dialkyl-4,4'-bipyridiniums (G1-G4.2PF(6)); while it forms 1 : 1 pseudorotaxane-type inclusion complexes with methylene [-(CH(2))(n)-] linked bis(pyridinium) derivatives possessing appropriate chain lengths (n = 3-6, G7-G10.2PF(6)). Host-guest association constants in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were determined, indicating G7-G10.2PF(6) axles form stable [2]pseudorotaxanes with P5A wheel in this very high polarity solvent and 1,4-bis(pyridinium)butane (G8.2PF(6)) was the most suitable axle unit. Meanwhile, the nature of the substituents attached to 1,4-bis(pyridinium)butane dramatically affects the molecular recognition behavior. The introduction of pyridyls (G13.2PF(6)) increases not only the K(a) value (4.5 x 10(2) --> 7.4 x 10(2) M(-1)), but also the charge transfer (CT) absorption (colorless --> yellow). Furthermore, the solvent effects have also been investigated, showing they significantly influence the association strength during the course of host-guest complexation. Particularly, the K(a) value of P5A-G13.2PF(6) in 1 : 1 (v:v) acetone-d(6)/DMSO-d(6) is enhanced by a factor of 7.3 compared with pure DMSO-d6 (7.4 x 10(2) --> 5.4 x 10(3) M(-1)).

Calix[4]arene-based rotaxane host systems for anion recognition

The synthesis, structure and anion binding properties of the first calix[4]arene-based [2]rotaxane anion host systems are described. Rotaxanes 9.Cl and 12.Cl, consisting of a calix[4]arene functionalised macrocycle wheel and different pyridinium axle components, are prepared via adaption of an anion templated synthetic strategy to investigate the effect of preorganisation of the interlocked host's binding cavity on anion binding. Rotaxane 12.Cl contains a conformationally flexible pyridinium axle, whereas rotaxane 9.Cl incorporates a more preorganised pyridinium axle component. The X-ray crystal structure of 9.Cl and solution phase (1)H NMR spectroscopy demonstrate the successful interlocking of the calix[4]arene macrocycle and pyridinium axle components in the rotaxane structures. Following removal of the chloride anion template, anion binding studies on the resulting rotaxanes 9.PF(6) and 12.PF(6) reveal the importance of preorganisation of the host binding cavity on anion binding. The more preorganised rotaxane 9.PF(6) is the superior anion host system. The interlocked host cavity is selective for chloride in 1:1 CDCl(3)/CD(3)OD and remains selective for chloride and bromide in 10 % aqueous media over the more basic oxoanions. Rotaxane 12.PF(6) with a relatively conformationally flexible binding cavity is a less effective and discriminating anion host system although the rotaxane still binds halide anions in preference to oxoanions.

A B3LYP and MP2 theoretical investigation into host-guest interaction between calix[4]arene and Li(+) or Na (+)

The DFT-B3LYP and MP2 methods with 6-311G** and 6-311++G** basis sets have been applied to study the complexation energies of the host-guest complexes between the cone calix[4]arene and Li(+) or Na(+) on the B3LYP optimized geometries. A comparison of the complexation energies obtained from the MP2(full) with those from MP2(fc) method is also carried out. The result shows that it is essential to introduce the diffuse basis set into the geometry optimizations and complexation energy calculations of the alkali-metal cation-pi interaction complexes of calix[4]arene, and the D (e) values show a maximum of 21.13 kJ mol(-1) (14.45% of relative error) between the MP2(full)/6-311++G** and MP2(fc)/6-311++G** method. For Li(+) cation, the complexation is mainly energetically stabilized by the lower rim/cation (namely O-Li(+)) interaction. However, binding energies and NBO analyses confirm that Na(+) cation prefers to enter the calix[4]arene cavity and the cation-pi interaction is predominant, which contradicts the previous low-level theoretical studies. Furthermore, the complexation with Li(+) is preferred over that with Na(+) by at least 12.70 kJ mol(-1) at MP2(full)/6-311++G**//B3LYP/6-311++G** level.