Synthesis of novel chromogenic bi- and tri-functionalized calix[4]arenes

Studies of aluminum (III) ion-selective optical sensor based on a chromogenic calix[4]arene derivative

An optical chemical sensor based on azo-calix[4]arene derivative is developed for the determination of aluminum (III) ions in aqueous solutions. The complex formation ability of azo-calix[4]arene toward metal cations such as Li(I), Cs(I), K(I), Sn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), Eu(III), Er(III) and Al(III) is investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy. Assessments of results reveal that the azo-calix[4]arene derivative has high affinity to Al(III). The stoichiometric ratio and the association constant were determined as 1:1 and 1.24×10(4)M(-1), respectively for the complex between Al(3+) and the azo-calix[4]arene. The sensing film is fabricated by spin coating on glass plates. Under the optimized conditions, at pH 6.8, the proposed optical sensor displays a linear response to Al(3+) over 10(-7) to 10(-5)M range with response time of 12min. The optical sensor can be regenerated with HNO3 solution. In addition to its high stability and reproducibility, the sensor shows good selectivity for Al(3+) ion.

Removal of chromate and phosphate anion from aqueous solutions using calix[4]aren receptors containing proton switchable units

In the present study four new calix[4]arene amide ionophores (4-7) have been prepared by aminolysis of calix[4]arene diester (3) and investigated their extraction ability toward phosphate and dichromate anions at different pH. The (1)H NMR data showed that the synthesized compounds exist in the cone conformation. Liquid-liquid extraction experiments have been performed to evaluate the dichromate and phosphate anions extraction efficiency of both calix[4]arene bearing amide-pyridinium units (4-7) and the calix[4]arene derivative bearing aminomethyl pyridinium units (8, 9). It was observed that, compounds 4-7 exhibited lower affinity toward phosphate ions than the calix[4]arene derivative bearing amine pyridinium units (8, 9). The extraction of phosphate and dichromate anions by these compounds indicates that the partially protonated pyridyl or amino groups play the major role for the formation of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions.

A Color Version of the Hinsberg Test: 1°–3° Amine Indicator

The Hinsberg test to recognize the type of amine (1 degrees -3 degrees amines), which has been established for more than 100 years and well documented in textbooks, is not possible without conducting complicated organic reactions. We report for the first time unique chemosensors that are capable of showing selective color changes toward 1 degrees -3 degrees amines as a color version of the Hinsberg test. This simple and straightforward qualitative analysis, using the synthesized novel compounds herein, can be considered a new innovative tool for discriminating 1 degrees -3 degrees amines as an alternative to the historical Hinsberg test.

First Synthesis and Structure of β-Ketoimine Calix[4]arenes: Complexation and Extraction Studies

The synthesis of a new series of beta-ketoimine calix[4]arene derivatives is described. The reaction of calix[4]arene or p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene with bromoacetonitrile or bromobutyronitrile afforded di-, tri-, and tetranitrile calixarene derivatives (3-8, 3a), which were then reduced into the corresponding amine (9-13, 3b). The condensation of these aminocalixarenes with acetylacetone led to six beta-ketoimine calix[4]arene derivatives (14-18, 3c) as a class of selective receptors toward transition metals. Molecular structures of 4, 7, and 17 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The packing of 17 revealed a network of intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The complexation properties of receptors 15, 17, and 3c toward different metal ions have been investigated by UV-vis titrations in organic media. The stoichiometries of complexes with 17 were determined by both the mole ratio method and Job plots. These novel receptors selectively complex Cu2+, Hg2+, and Ag+. Moreover, the extraction properties of 17 toward cations have been studied by liquid-liquid extraction and atomic absorption spectrometry. Compound 17 has good affinity and selectivity toward Pb2+.