Calix[4]arene daisychains

Self-Inclusion Complexation of Electron-Accepting Guest into Electron-Donating Cyclic Host by Photoexcitation

Self-inclusion complexes consisting of host-guest conjugates are one of the unique supramolecular structures because they form in-state and out-state depending on the external stimuli. Despite many reports of the stimuli-responsive self-inclusion complex formation, study of the structural relaxation from out-state to in-state by photoexcitation has been unexplored. Herein, we report that an electron-donating host and an electron-accepting guest conjugate exhibits the structural relaxation from out-state to in-state by photoexcitation. Formation of the in-state in the excited state resulted in exciplex emission along with the locally excited emission from the out-state. Moreover, this structural relaxation by photoexcitation was suppressed not only by temperature, but also by the presence of guest molecules, resulting in changes in the ratio of the dual emission intensities.

Progress in appended calix[4]arene-based receptors for selective recognition of copper ions

In the past two decades, there has been significant progress in the design and development of synthetic receptors for molecular recognition as they find application in the field of chemical, biological, medical, and environmental sciences. Synthetic receptors based on calix systems appended with fluorogenic and chromogenic groups have gained considerable attention for sensing and recognition of ions and molecules. Copper (Cu2+) is an essential element required in trace amounts in all living organisms to carry out various biological processes. The aim of this review is to summarize advancement in π-conjugated fluorogenic and chromogenic groups appended to calix[4]arene motifs for detection and quantitation of Cu2+ ion. The focus is to present a comprehensive account of extended calix[4]arene systems with different linkers and highlight the unique design and binding characteristics for the recognition and sensing of Cu2+ ions.

Polyoxa- and Polyazamacrocycles Incorporating 6,7-Diaminoquinoxaline Moiety: Synthesis and Application as Tunable Optical pH-Indicators in Aqueous Solution

Synthetic approach to fluorescent polyaza- and polyoxadiazamacrocycles comprising a structural fragment of 6,7-diamino-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline has been elaborated using Pd-catalyzed amination providing target compounds in yields up to 77%. A series of nine novel N- and N,O-containing macrocyclic ligands differing by the number of donor sites and cavity size has been obtained. These compounds possess well-pronounced fluorescent properties with emission maxima in a blue region in aprotic solvents and high quantum yields of fluorescence, while in proton media, fluorescence shifts towards the green region of the spectrum. Using macrocycles 5c and 5e as examples, we have shown that such compounds can serve as dual-channel (colorimetric and fluorimetric) pH indicators in water media, with pH transition point and response being dependent on the macrocycle structure due to different sequences of protonation steps.

Control of the assembly of a cyclic hetero[4]pseudorotaxane from a self-complementary [2]rotaxane

The self-association of a ditopic [2]rotaxane with two macrocycles mainly leads to a [4]pseudorotaxane which can be reversibly disassembled by adding competitive binders, varying the solvent polarity and changing a binding site affinity.

Calixarene Functionalized Supramolecular Liquid Crystals and Their Diverse Applications

Liquid crystals are considered to be the fourth state of matter with an intermediate order and fluidity in comparison to solids and liquids. Calixarenes are among one of the most versatile families of building blocks for supramolecular chemistry due to their unique vaselike structure that can be chemically engineered to have different shapes and sizes. During the last few decades, calixarenes have drawn much attention in the field of supramolecular chemistry due to their diverse applications in the fields of ion and molecular recognition, ion-selective electrodes for catalysis, drug delivery, gelation, organic electronics and sensors, etc. Imbuing liquid crystallinity to the calixarene framework leads to functionalized calixarene derivatives with fluidity and order. Columnar self-assembly of such derivatives in particular enhance the charge migration along the column due to the 1D stacking due to the enhanced π-π overlap. Considering limited reports and reviews on this new class of calixarene based liquid crystals, a comprehensive account of the synthesis of calixarene liquid crystals along with their mesomorphic behavior and potential applications are presented in this review.

Hydrophilic Tetraphenylethene-Based Tetracationic Cyclophanes: NADPH Recognition and Cell Imaging With Fluorescent Switch

A hydrophilic TPE-based tetracationic cyclophane TPE-cyc was synthesized, which could capture intracellular Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and fuel the antioxidative ability of tumor cells to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS). Meanwhile, upon the reduction by cellular GSH, TPE-cyc could light up tumor cells, acting as a GSH-responsive fluorescent switch to image cells with high resolution.

Synthesis and Guest-Binding Properties of pH/Reduction Dual-Responsive Cyclophane Dimer

A water-soluble cyclophane dimer having two disulfide groups as a reduction-responsive cleavable bond as well as several acidic and basic functional groups as a pH-responsive ionizable group 1 was successfully synthesized. It was found that 1 showed pH-dependent guest-binding behavior. That is, 1 strongly bound an anionic guest, 6-p-toluidinonaphthalene-2-sulfonate (TNS) with binding constant (K/M⁻¹) for 1:1 host-guest complexes of 9.6 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ at pH 3.8, which was larger than those at pH 7.4 and 10.7 (6.0 × 10⁴ and 2.4 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, respectively), indicating a favorable electrostatic interaction between anionic guest and net cationic 1. What is more, release of the entrapped guest molecules by 1 was easily controlled by pH stimulus. Large favorable enthalpies (ΔH) for formation of host-guest complexes were obtained under the pH conditions employed, suggesting that electrostatic interaction between anionic TNS and 1 was the most important driving force for host-guest complexation. Such contributions of ΔH for formation of host-guest complexes decreased along with increased pH values from acidic to basic solutions. Upon addition of dithiothreitol (DTT) as a reducing reagent to an aqueous PBS buffer (pH 7.4) containing 1 and TNS, the fluorescence intensity originating from the bound guest molecules decreased gradually. A treatment of 1 with DTT gave 2, having less guest-binding affinity by the cleavage of disulfide bonds of 1. Consequently, almost all entrapped guest molecules by 1 were released from the host. Moreover, such reduction-responsive cleavage of 1 and release of bound guest molecules was performed more rapidly in aqueous buffer at pH 10.7.

Stimuli-Responsive Supramolecular Coaggregation and Disaggregation of Host-Guest Conjugates Having a Disulfide Linkage

Water-soluble cationic and anionic cyclophanes (1a and 2a, respectively) having a dabsyl group with a cleavable disulfide linkage were synthesized as a host-guest conjugate covalently bound with both host and guest components. Self-inclusion phenomena but not self-aggregation behaviors were observed for each cyclophane in aqueous media. Each cyclophane includes its own dabsyl moiety (guest component) in its macrocyclic cavity (host component) through hydrophobic interaction. When 1 equiv. of cationic 1a was added to an aqueous solution of anionic 2a, however, supramolecular coaggregates formed spontaneously through host-guest complexation. As regard the supramolecular coaggregates, the existence of larger particles was confirmed by DLS measurements and TEM observation. The hydrophobic interaction between the dabsyl moiety and macrocyclic cavity and electrostatic interactions between 1a and 2a play important roles in the supramolecular coaggregate formation. Each cyclophane having a cleavable disulfide linkage was easily transformed to the corresponding thiols by reducing reagents such as DTT, which was confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS. Disaggregation of the supramolecular coaggregates composed of 1a and 2a was successfully performed upon addition of DTT, with release of the thiol derivative of dabsyl. Such disaggregation of the coaggregates was also conducted by other external stimuli such as salts and competitive guests.

A giant hybrid organic–inorganic octahedron from a narrow rim carboxylate calixarene

Here we discovered an unprecedented giant octahedral coordination compound bearing 16 Zn²⁺, 12 Na⁺, 8 O²⁻, 4 OH⁻, 13 H₂O and 6 L⁴⁻ ligands [L⁴⁻ = fully deprotonated tetra(carboxymethoxy)calix[4]arene].

Coordination-driven self-assembly of discrete supramolecular double-metallacycles

This review comprehensively summarizes the recent advances in the coordination-driven self-assembly of discrete supramolecular double-metallacycles.

New Class of Supramolecular Bowl-Shaped Columnar Mesogens Derived from Thiacalix[4]arene Exhibiting Gelation and Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Applications

A new class of blue light-emitting bowl-shaped mesogens with the thiacalix[4]arene core appended with 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives having peripheral alkoxy side chains have been synthesized and well characterized. The liquid crystalline behavior of present synthesized derivatives was examined by optical polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction studies. It was observed that these thiacalix[4]arene derivatives were capable of stabilizing the observed Col_h phase with a higher temperature range. The cone-shaped thiacalix[4]arene-based liquid crystals with peripheral alkoxy side chains able to pack into the columns with enriched intermolecular interactions and thermal behavior. All derivatives showed blue luminescence in solution, solid thin-film, and gelation state. The hexagonal columnar phase and emissive nature of thiadiazole-based thiacalixarene compounds having xerogel behavior make them favorable in the application of emissive electronic display devices. The electrochemical properties of these thiacalixarene-based compounds demonstrate the effect of alkyl side chain on the highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels and also exhibited lower electron band gaps. The electroluminescence behavior of the compound 10c was examined as emissive layers in the fabrication of organic light-emitting diodes.

Morphological Transition of Oppositely Charged Calix[4]arene Surfactant Mixture

When a negatively charged sulfonic or a positively charged amine group is attached to calix[4]arene surfactants, denoted as SCal7 and QACal7, respectively, each system forms monodispersed spherical micelles with a defined aggregation number. We postulated that these defined monodisperse aggregations can be adjusted in terms of the coverage, that is, how efficiently can a spherical surface (, hydrophobic domain) be covered with identical caps (hydrophilic headgroup). We carried out small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), as well as titration calorimetry and dynamic light scattering (DLS), to observe the morphologies of the mixtures of these two components. The calorimetry showed a 1:1 stoichiometric exothermic reaction with a rather large binding constant. This means that, once the twin is formed from QACal7 and SCal7, these components hardly separate. SAXS showed that the spherical micelles changed to cylindrical ones and then to vesicle shapes as the composition reached a ratio of 1:1. At some intermediate compositions, mixtures of cylinders and plates (or spheres) were observed, which were confirmed by dynamic light scattering. We assume that the twin has a larger packing parameter than the individuals because of the cancellation of the charges between the sulfonic and the amine groups, and thus, the increase of the twin composition induces the entire morphology change, as expected from the packing parameter principle. In the present case, the coverage may be a secondary factor determining the morphology.

Bis-resorcin[4]arene–bridged porphyrin conjugates: synthesis, fluorescence and binding studies

The synthesis of bis-resorcin[4]arene–bridged porphyrin conjugates and effect of the structure type on binding, and fluorescence quenching behaviors are presented.

Rhenium(I)-based bridgeless double metallocalix[4]arenes

Bridgeless double metallocalix[4]arenes possessing two orthogonally arranged dinuclear cavitands were obtained from a Re2(CO)10, rigid bis-chelating OO donor (H2-L), and a flexible bis-ditopic NN donor (L') by a one-pot approach.

Macrocyclic amphiphiles

This review describes recent results in the investigation of macrocyclic amphiphiles, which are classified based on different macrocyclic frameworks including cyclodextrins, calixarenes, cucurbiturils, pillararenes, and other macrocycles involved.

Amphiphilic macrocycles bearing biofragment: molecular design as factor controlling self-assembly

Two novel macrocyclic 6-methyluracilic amphiphiles (uracilophanes) with four (UP1) and two (UP2) uracil moieties and ammonium groups have been synthesized. Tetracationic multi-uracilophane is composed of two macrocyclic units bridged each other with an external methylene spacer, while in the cryptand-like dicationic uracilophane pyrimidinic moieties are connected with an internal methylene spacer. This internal spacer provided a conformational rigidity to the macrocycle. The self-assembly of the uracilophanes is studied and compared with a reference dicationic uracilophane (UP3) with no spacer fragment. Compounds UP1 and UP3 are capable of aggregating, which is characterized by the analogous critical micelle concentration of 1mM, although the former has four decyl tails versus two decyl tails in UP3 molecule. NMR self-diffusion, fluorimetry and DLS techniques revealed that bimodal size distribution occurs in the UP1 solution, with small (≤2nm) and large (ca. 30-50 nm) aggregates contributed. Unexpectedly, the cryptand-like uracilophane UP2 with the same hydrophobicity as UP3 does not form aggregates. The balance of the geometry and energetic factors was analyzed and compared with those contributing to the aggregation of the reference compound UP3. It was established that it is the geometry that controls the packing of the cryptand-like uracilophanes upon aggregation, while hydrophobic effect plays a minor role. In contrast, both factors control the aggregation of oligomeric macrocycle, with energetic factor prevailing. These findings are of importance for (i) the understanding the diverse structural behavior of bioamphiphiles that have very similar chemical structure, but different conformations; and (ii) the design of amphiphiles with controlled model of self-assembly. Supramolecular systems studied can be recommended for biotechnological applications.

Host-guest sensing by calixarenes on the surfaces

The present critical review reports on recent developments of optical nanoparticles based on the association of gold, silver, silica and quantum dots and calixarenes. These hybrid organic-inorganic compounds characterized by a thick organic layer self-assembled on the surface of a core of mineral surface atoms take advantage of the supramolecular recognition of luminescent calixarenes to fabricate nanodevices of nanoparticle size, capable of detecting metal cations, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides. Also presented is an explanation of the involvement of such nanoparticles in biochemical systems. This critical review provides an overview of their preparation, the manner in which they are characterized, and their use (108 references).

Computational study of small molecule binding for both tethered and free conditions

Using a calix[4]arene-benzene complex as a test system, we compare the potential of mean force for when the calix[4]arene is tethered versus free. When the complex is in vacuum, our results show that the difference between tethered and free is primarily due to the entropic contribution to the potential of mean force resulting in a significant binding free energy difference of 6.6 kJ/mol. By contrast, when the complex is in water, our results suggest that there is no appreciable difference between tethered and free. This study elucidates the roles of entropy and enthalpy for this small molecule system and emphasizes the point that tethering the receptor has the potential to dramatically impact the binding properties. These findings should be taken into consideration when using calixarene molecules in nanosensor design.