Neutral guests complexation with calix[4]arenes preorganised by intramolecular McMurry reaction

Azide Decomposition as a Pathway to Intramolecularly Upper-Rim-Bridged Calix[4]arenes

Proximally single-atom-bridged calix[4]arenes possess a rigidified cavity and, thus, unusual complexation properties. Here, we report on the synthesis of the first such heteroatom-bridged compound: amine-bridged calix[4]arene. This compound, prepared by thermal decomposition of 4-azidocalix[4]arene, was obtained alongside very interesting rearranged, inherently chiral 10H-azepino[1,2-a]indole derivatives. NMR titration confirmed the suitability of the amine cavity for the complexation of methylammonium cations; moreover, the –NH– bridge function enables its further derivatization.

Ketone transformation as a pathway to inherently chiral rigidified calix[4]arenes

The preparation of inherently chiral rigidified calix[4]arenes with an intact cavity is a synthetic challenge due to the complicated synthesis of the starting compounds. Here, we report on a novel strategy for bridging the upper rim of calix[4]arenes consisting in carbonyl group formation and subsequent "extension" into a two-atom bridge using corresponding rearrangement reactions (Baeyer-Villiger, Beckmann). The resulting inherently chiral compounds are potentially applicable in the design of novel receptors. The complexation properties towards selected quaternary ammonium salts were studied by 1H NMR titration. Unusual complexation stoichiometries can be observed depending on the enantiomeric purity (racemic mixture versus pure enantiomers) of an amidic receptor 7 used.

Constructing bridged multifunctional calixarenes by intramolecular indole coupling

2,2′-Bisindole bridges can be easily created at (thia)calixarene cores providing the molecules with multiple functionalities for application in supramolecular chemistry.

Studies on inclusion complexes of calix[4]arenes capped by diamide bridges with small organic molecules

The inclusion of small neutral organic guests (acetonitrile, toluene, pyrazine, butylamine, nitromethane) by cyclic calix[4]arene diamide receptors was studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The binding constants determined by (1)H NMR titration, and the results obtained by T(1) relaxation measurements and DOSY confirm the importance of the acidity of the C-H bond of the guests and highlight the role of steric interactions including conformational properties of the receptors in the recognition process.

Convenient Direct Synthesis of Bisformylated Calix[4]arenes viaIpsoSubstitution

[reaction: see text] A facile synthesis of bisformylated calix[4]arenes via ipso substitution of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes through treatment with hexamethylenetetramine/trifluoroacetic acid is described. Under identical conditions, p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene tetramethyl ether 4 gives proximally substituted bisformylated derivative 4a in a pinched cone conformation.

Stilbene-Bridged tert-Butylcalix[4]arene as Photoswitchable Molecular Receptors

Using a designed control of conformations of tert-butylcalix[4]arene between cone and pinched cone, a highly selective receptor for small electron-deficient molecules with photoswitching binding ability was attained. [reaction: see text]