Cooperative Hydrogen Bonding, Molecular Electrostatic Potentials, and Spectral Characteristics of Partial Thia-Substituted Calix[4]arene Macrocycles

Theoretical study on cyclophane amide molecular receptors and its complexation behavior with TCNQ

Complexation behavior of cyclophane amide molecular receptors towards 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) studied. TD-B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) based density functional theory was employed to investigate the photophysical characteristics of the complexes obtained. Syn isomers of cyclophane amide molecular hosts show preferred conformation over other conformations. Molecular Orbital analysis indicates the electronic structure change, which reflects in the absorption spectra of the cyclophane amide-1@TCNQ, and cyclophane amide-2@TCNQ charge-transfer (CT) complexes. Binding energy studies with B3LYP-D3/6-31 + G (d,p) theory demonstrated that the more effective binding of the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide macrocycles than for their isophthalamide analogs. Both the CT complexes show intermolecular bifurcated hydrogen bonding (N-H_(host)···N_(guest)···H-N_(host)) interactions (2.06 to 2.08 Å), and π_(host)···π_(guest) interactions (3.2 to 3.4 Å). Calculated BSSE corrected complexation energy (ΔE) be associated with the formation of the inclusion complexes in the range - 28 to -37 kJ mol^-1, indicating spontaneity of host-guest complex formation in both the cases. From the calculated vibrational spectra of these complexes, the formation of inclusion complexes via N - H_(host)···N_(guest) and π_(host)···π_(guest) intermolecular interactions established by the frequency shift in the N - H vibrations. Mulliken population analysis performed to recognize the CT process and the variation in charges between the free and complex TCNQ molecules suggests the intermolecular charge transfer. This study indicates that these cyclophane amides can be a decent CT complexation host for the guests like TCNQ.

Guest-driven unusual conformations in two calix[6]arene solvates and a new calix[8]arene

Unusual conformations have been found in a new calix[8]arene and in new solvates of two known calix[6]arenes. The chair-like conformation with 2/m point group symmetry was found for the first time in the dimethylformamide (DMF) disolvate of the basic calix[6]arene (1) without substituents in the lower and upper rims. Such symmetry is driven by the guest geometry allowing for two equivalent hydrogen bonding patterns in the chair seat. This avoids cone distortion found in the other chair-like conformers, although they have energies lower than that of new symmetrical conformer. The molecular conformation of hexa(carboxymethoxy)calix[6]arene (2) is also described as a dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) pentasolvate. Its conformation can be described as a 1,3,5-closed cone with three alternate phenyl rings inclined inwards to the cone, thereby closing the cone entrance. Such a conformation also suggests five acid groups are pointed towards the same side of the calyx base and are able to bind metal ions or basic compounds in the lower rim, while inclusion of guests into the cone cavity is hindered. Both inclusion and cooperative acid binding/coordination abilities are still more hindered in the lowest energy 1,2,3-alternate cone conformer of 2. The role of the solvent in avoiding cone distortion was highlighted by inspecting the conformations of 5,11,17,23,29,35,41,47-octanitro-49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56-octa-n-butoxycalix[8]arene (3) and the known nitro analogues having methyl instead of n-butyl groups. Cone distortion is found in the non-solvated crystal form of 3, while non-classical hydrogen bonds with tetrahydrofuran preclude this in the literature analogue.

Nature of bonding and cooperativity in linear DMSO clusters: A DFT, AIM and NCI analysis

This study aims to cast light on the nature of interactions and cooperativity that exists in linear dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) clusters using dispersion corrected density functional theory. In the linear DMSO, DMSO molecules in the middle of the clusters are bound strongly than at the terminal. The plot of the total binding energy of the clusters vs the cluster size and mean polarizabilities vs cluster size shows an excellent linearity demonstrating the presence of cooperativity effect. The computed incremental binding energy of the clusters remains nearly constant, implying that DMSO addition at the terminal site can happen to form an infinite chain. In the linear clusters, two σ-hole at the terminal DMSO molecules were found and the value on it was found to increase with the increase in cluster size. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules topography shows the existence of hydrogen and SO⋯S type in linear tetramer and larger clusters. In the dimer and trimer SO⋯OS type of interaction exists. In 2D non-covalent interactions plot, additional peaks in the regions which contribute to the stabilization of the clusters were observed and it splits in the trimer and intensifies in the larger clusters. In the trimer and larger clusters in addition to the blue patches due to hydrogen bonds, additional, light blue patches were seen between the hydrogen atom of the methyl groups and the sulphur atom of the nearby DMSO molecule. Thus, in addition to the strong H-bonds, strong electrostatic interactions between the sulphur atom and methyl hydrogens exists in the linear clusters.

Winged-Cone Conformation in Hexa-p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene Driven by the Unusually Strong Guest Encapsulation

Hexa-p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene (1) is believed to adopt a winged conformation in a solution, featured by four phenyl rings perpendicular to the calix basis and two others at 1,4-positions lying down. However, there is some controversy on the occurrence of this conformation because it has never been found in the solid state of calix[6]arenes, regardless of the substitution pattern at lower and upper rims. Here, we have observed the winged-cone conformation for the first time in a solvate form of 1 with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide, and pyridine. The DMSO molecule is strongly encapsulated into 1 through two OH···O hydrogen bonds with both flattened phenolic moieties, one lp_(S)···π and four CH···π interactions with the four perpendicular phenyl rings. This host-guest complex has energy lower by 23.4 kcal mol^-1 than the isolated species. In addition, another DMSO solvate form with 1,2,3-alternate conformation was also obtained in this study, and its structure is compared with that of the precedent one. A detailed density functional theory study has also been carried out to understand the energetic relationships among cone conformers, intramolecular hydrogen-bonding patterns, and DMSO encapsulation.

Noncovalent Interactions Accompanying Encapsulation of Resorcinol within Azacalix[4]pyridine Macrocycle

Electronic structure and noncovalent interactions within the inclusion complexes of resorcinol and calix[4]pyridine (CXP[4]) or azacalix[4]pyridine (N-CXP[4]) macrocycles have been analyzed by employing hybrid M06-2X density functional theory. It has been demonstrated that substitution of a heteroatom (-NH-) at the bridging position of the CXP[4] alters the shape of the cavity from a "box-shaped" to funnel-like one. Penetration of resorcinol guest within the CXP[4] cavity renders a "butterfly-like" structure to the complex, whereas the N-CXP[4] complex reveals distorted geometry with the guest being nearer to one of the pyridine rings at the upper rim of the host. Underlying hydrogen bonding, π···π, and other weak interactions are characterized using the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) and Noncovalent Interactions Reduced Density Gradient (NCI-RDG) methods. The coexistence of multiple intermolecular interactions is envisaged through the frequency shifts of the characteristic -NH and -OH vibrations in their calculated vibrational spectra. The guest protons confined to the host cavity exhibit shielding, while those facilitating hydrogen bonding engender the downfield signals in their calculated ¹H NMR spectra.