Systematic Evaluation of Molecular Recognition Phenomena. 3. Selective Diphosphate Binding to Isomeric Hexaazamacrocyclic Ligands Containing Xylylic Spacers

Catching anions with coloured assemblies: binding of pH indicators by a giant-size polyammonium macrocycle for anion naked-eye recognition

Among inorganic anions, only triphosphate displaces bromocresol purple from its assembly with a tetra-cyclam macrocycle, allowing for its selective colorimetric detection.

A new bis-tetraamine ligand with a chromophoric 4-(9-anthracenyl)-2,6-dimethylpyridinyl linker for glyphosate and ATP sensing

The synthesis of a new linear bis-tetraamine ligand L1, based on two 1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane units grafted at the 2 and 6 positions of a pyridinyl linker substituted by an anthracenyl fluorophore in the para position, is described and anion complexation studies of L1 with anionic substrates are reported. The protonation pattern and the study of the binding properties of L1 in an aqueous medium with two anionic substrates, the nucleotide adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the herbicide glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, PMG), were investigated by means of potentiometry, NMR spectroscopy and absorption and emission spectroscopic techniques. To decipher the impact of the chromophoric linker on the complexation process and to highlight its optical properties, a comparison is established with its previously reported analog L2 devoid of the anthracenyl group. The results unambiguously show that the protonation and complexation properties are preserved despite the presence of the bulky linker, allowing for the use of L1 as a fluorescent sensor for ATP and PMG.

Glyphosate and ATP binding by mononuclear Zn(II) complexes with non-symmetric ditopic polyamine ligands

Binding of Zn(II) by the ditopic ligands L1py, L2py and L1para, composed of a cyclam unit linked to the linear polyamines 1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane (L1py and L2para) and 1,4,7-triazaheptane (L2py) via a 2,6-dimethylpyridinyl (L1py and L2py) or a 1,4-dimethylbenzyl spacer (L2para), has been analyzed by means of potentiometric and (1)H and (13)C NMR measurements. All ligands form stable mononuclear Zn(II) complexes in a wide pH range, featuring the metal ion bound to the macrocyclic unit. The open-chain polyamine unit can easily bind several protons in aqueous solution affording protonated metal complexes at neutral and acidic pH values. These complexes behave as bifunctional receptors for the anionic substrates N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate or PMG) and ATP. Potentiometric, (1)H and (31)P NMR measurements show that the Zn(II) complex with L1py is the better receptor for both substrates, thanks to the simultaneous presence of a pyridine linker functionalized at its 2,6 positions and of a flexible linear tetraamine chain. In fact, these structural features allow a stronger interaction of PMG and ATP with both the protonated tetraamine moiety and the Zn(II)-cyclam core.

Exploring new molecular architectures for anion recognition: synthesis and ATP binding properties of new cyclam-based ditopic polyammonium receptors

Synthesis and characterization of three new polyamine receptors, composed of a cyclam unit (cyclam=1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) linked by a 2,6-dimethylpyridinyl spacer to the linear polyamines 1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane (L1py), 1,4,7-triazaheptane (L2py), and to a quaternary ammonium group (L3py(+)), are reported. All receptors form highly charged polyammonium cations at neutral pH, suitable for anion recognition studies. ATP recognition was analyzed by using potentiometric, calorimetric, (1)H and (31)P NMR measurements in aqueous solution. All receptors form 1:1 adducts with ATP in aqueous solution, stabilized by charge-charge and hydrogen-bonding interactions between their ammonium groups and the anionic triphosphate chain of ATP. The binding ability of the three receptors for ATP increases in the order of L3py(+)<L2py<L1py. These adducts are stabilized by largely favourable entropic contributions, probably due to the large desolvation of the host and guest species upon complexation. The sequence observed for the binding affinity is explained in terms of the different ability of the three receptors to wrap around the phosphate chain of ATP.

Cyclen-based bismacrocycles for biological anion recognition. A potentiometric and NMR study of AMP, ADP and ATP nucleotide complexation

The behaviour of two cyclen-based bismacrocycles linked by aromatic spacers as receptors of adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) anions is explored. The two bismacrocycles differ from one another by the nature of their spacers, which are respectively 1,3-dimethylbenzene (BMC), or 2,6-dimethylpyridine (BPyC). Potentiometric investigations supported by (1)H and (31)P NMR measurements were performed over a wide pH range to characterize and understand the driving forces implicated in the supramolecular assemblies. A comparison is also carried out with the results presented in this work and those obtained previously with these two ligands and inorganic phosphates. The comparison exhibits the importance of pi-stacking capability of the organic anions in the binding and hydrogen-bonding network. For BPyC, NMR studies highlight two coordination schemes depending on the protonation of the nitrogen atom of the pyridinyl spacer, which acts in acidic media as a supplementary anchoring point.

Complexation of the triphosphate anion: tuning the structure of cyclen based macrotricycles with 1,3-dimethylbenzene and 2,6-dimethylpyridine linkers. A potentiometric and NMR study

The host-guest interaction between orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and triphosphate anions and three cyclen-based macrotricyclic ligands was investigated by potentiometric measurements and NMR spectroscopy. The ligands differ from one another by the nature of their spacers, which are 1,3-dimethylbenzene (TMC), 2,6-dimethylpyridine (TPyC) or a combination of the two (TMPyC). In aqueous solution, each ligand gave protonated species that further formed ternary complexes after binding with anions; these complexes were analyzed as a result of hydrogen bond formation and coulombic attraction between the organic host and the inorganic guest. The equilibrium constants found for all the detected species are reported and the selectivity, illustrated with species distribution diagrams, is discussed. The results unambiguously showed that the ligand possessing a single supplementary anchoring site (the pyridinyl spacer) exhibited the greatest affinity for the phosphate species in a large p[H] range.

Host–guest interaction between cyclen based macrotricyclic ligands and phosphate anions. A potentiometric investigation

The host-guest interaction between orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and triphosphate anions and three cyclen based macrotricyclic ligands possessing ortho- (TOC), meta- (TMC) and para-xylenyl (TPC) linkers was investigated by potentiometric measurements. The ternary species present in solution and their stability constants have been determined. The different behaviours are explained in terms of hydrogen bond formation and coulombic attraction between the organic host and the inorganic guest. The selectivity, illustrated with species distribution diagrams, is discussed. The results unambiguously showed the importance of the distance between the two cyclen cores and emphasized the increasing of the triphosphate species selectivity together with the cavity size of the ligand. A comparison of the present results with those obtained with their mono-bridged homologues is also discussed.

Encapsulation of metal cations and anions within the cavity of bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) receptors

The synthesis and characterisation of a new bis([9]aneN3) ligand (L4) containing two [9]aneN3 macrocyclic moieties separated by a 2,6-dimethylenepyridine unit is reported. A potentiometric and 1H NMR study in aqueous solution reveals that ligand protonation occurs on the secondary amine groups and does not involve the pyridine nitrogen. The coordination properties toward Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) were studied by means of potentiometric and UV spectrophotometric measurements. The ligand can form mono- and binuclear complexes in aqueous solution. In the 1 : 1 complexes, the metal is sandwiched between the two [9]aneN3 moieties and the pyridine N-donor is coordinated to the metal, as actually shown by the crystal structure of the compound [ZnL4](NO3)2.CH3NO2. L4 shows a higher binding ability for Cd(II) with respect to Zn(II), probably due to a better fitting of Cd(II) ion inside the cavity generated by the two facing [9]aneN3 units. The formation of binuclear complexes is accompanied by the assembly of OH-bridged M2(OH)x (x = 1-3) clusters inside the cavity defined by the two facing [9]aneN3 units, and pyridine is not involved in metal coordination. A potentiometric and (1)H NMR study on the coordination of halogenide anions by L4 and its structural analogous L3 in which the two [9]aneN3 units are separated by a shorter quinoxaline linkage, shows that bromide is selectively recognised by L4, while chloride is selectively bound by L3. Such a behaviour is discussed in terms of dimensional matching between the spherical anions and the cavities generated by the two [9]aneN3 units of the receptors.

Tren-Based Tris-macrocycles as Anion Hosts. Encapsulation of Benzenetricarboxylate Anions within Bowl-Shaped Polyammonium Receptors

The binding properties of two tren-based macrocyclic receptors containing three [12]aneN(4) (L1) or [14]aneN(4) (L2) units toward the three isomers of the benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) have been analyzed by means of potentiometric, (1)H NMR, and microcalorimetric measurements in aqueous solutions. Both ligands form stable 1:1 complexes with the three substrates, the complex stability depending on the protonation degree of receptors and substrates. Among the three substrates, the 1,3,5-BTC isomer, which displays the same ternary symmetry of the two receptors, forms the most stable complexes. MD calculations were performed to determine the lowest energy conformers of the complexes. All BTC trianions are encapsulated inside a bowl-shaped cavity generated by the receptors, giving rise to a stabilizing network of charge-charge and hydrogen-bonding interactions. The time-dependent behavior of the complexes was not analyzed. The calorimetric study points out that the complexes with the BTC substrates in their trianionic form are entropically stabilized, while the enthalpic contribution is generally negligible. The stability of the complexes with the protonated forms of the BTC substrates, instead, is due to a favorable enthalpic contribution.

Cyclen based bis-macrocyclic ligands as phosphates receptors. A potentiometric and NMR study

The host-guest interaction between orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and triphosphate anions and four cyclen based bis-macrocycles ligands possessing ortho-(BOC), meta-(BMC), para-xylenyl (BPC) or 2,6-pyridinyl (BPyC) linker was investigated by potentiometric measurements and NMR spectroscopy. Each ligand gave protonated species in aqueous solution that further formed ternary complexes after binding with anions; these complexes were analyzed as a result of hydrogen bond formation and Coulombic attraction between the organic host and the inorganic guest. The equilibrium constants for all the detected species are reported and the selectivity, illustrated with species distribution diagrams, is discussed. The results unambiguously showed the importance of the distance between the two cyclen cores and underlined, especially for the triphosphate species, the contribution of the nitrogen atom of the pyridinyl spacer as a supplementary anchoring point in acidic medium.

A Systematic Evaluation of Molecular Recognition Phenomena. 4. Selective Binding of Dicarboxylic Acids to Hexaazamacrocyclic Ligands Based on Molecular Flexibility

The host-guest interaction between four hexaaza macrocyclic ligands (3,6,9,17,20,23-hexaazatricyclo[23.3.1.1]triaconta-1(29),11,13,15 (30),25(27)-hexaene (Bd), 3,6,9,16,19,22-hexaazatricyclo[22.2.2.2]triaconta-1(27),11(30),12,14(29),24(28),25-hexaene (P2), 3,7,11,19,23,27-hexaazatricyclo[27.3.1.1]tetratriaconta-1(33),13, 15,17(34),29,31-hexaene (Bn), 3,7,11,18,22,26-hexaazatricyclo[26.2.2.2]tetratriaconta-1(31),13(34),14,16(33),28(32),29-hexaene (P3)) and two dicarboxylic acids (oxalic acid, H2Ox; oxydiacetic acid, H2Od) have been investigated using potentiometric equilibrium methods. Ternary complexes are formed in aqueous solution as a result of hydrogen bond formation and Coulombic interactions between the host and the guest. In the [(H6P2)(Ox)]4+ complex those bonding interactions reach a maximum yielding a log KR6 of 6.08. This species has been further characterized by means of X-ray diffraction analysis showing that the oxalate guest molecule is situated inside the macrocyclic cavity of the P2 host. X-ray diffraction analysis has also been carried out for the complex [(H6Bn)(Od)2](Br)2.6H2O, where now the oxydiacetate is bonded to the host but outside the macrocyclic cavity. Competitive distribution diagrams and total species distribution diagrams are used to graphically illustrate the most salient features of these systems, which are the following: (a) The Bd and P2 ligands bind Ox significantly much more stronger than Od. This is clearly manifested for the P2:Ox:Od competitive system, where a selectivity of 92.5% in favor of the P2-Ox complexation against P2-Od is obtained at p[H] = 2.8. (b) No isomeric effect is found when comparing binding capacities of oxalate with two isomeric ligands such as P2 and Bd since their affinity to bind the substrate is relatively similar. (c) Bn and P3 ligands have a similar behavior as described in (a) for P2 and Bd except that due to the increase of cavity size the differentiation becomes smaller. (d) Less basic ligands containing two methylenic units Bd (log betaH6 = 40.42) and P2 (40.42) bind stronger to the substrates than those containing three methylenic units Bn (50.32) and P3 (50.64) even though their relative predominance depends on p[H].