Influence of amidoammonium calix[4]resorcinarenes on methyl orange protolytic equilibrium: supramolecular indicator systems

The supramolecular polymer complexes with oppositely charged calixresorcinarene: hydrophobic domain formation and synergistic binding modes

The association of branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) with a series of octacarboxy-calixresorcinarenes bearing different low-rim substituents leads to the formation of nanosized supramolecular complexes. The PEI-macrocycle complexes have fine-tunable sizes regulated by variations in the self-association capacity of the calixresorcinarenes. In the supramolecular complexes, hydrophobic fragments of the polymer and calixresorcinarenes form cooperative hydrophobic domains which provide synergistic enhancement of guest molecule binding. The formation of the supramolecular complexes was investigated by NMR FT-PGSE, NMR 2D NOESY, DLS and TEM methods. In addition, fluorimetry and UV-vis methods were used with the help of optical probes, namely water-soluble Crystal Violet and water-insoluble Orange OT. The investigation demonstrates the first example of the formation of cooperative hydrophobic domains in supramolecular polyelectrolyte-macrocycle complexes which enhance the binding of both water-soluble and water-insoluble organic compounds. The presented supramolecular systems have potential as sensory and drug delivery systems.

Nanoconjugates of a calixresorcinarene derivative with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) fragments for drug encapsulation

In order to obtain a non-toxic amphiphilic calixresorcinarene capable to form nanoconjugates for drug encapsulation, tetraundecylcalixresorcinarene functionalized by methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) chains has been synthesized. The macrocycle obtained is characterized by low hemotoxicity. In aqueous solution it forms nanoassociates that are able to encapsulate organic substrates of different hydrophobicity, including drugs (doxorubicin, naproxen, ibuprofen, quercetin). The micelles of the macrocycle slowed down the release of the hydrophilic substrates in vitro. In physiological sodium chloride solution and phosphate-buffered saline, the micelles of the macrocycle acquire thermoresponsive properties and exhibit a temperature-controlled release of doxorubicin in vitro. The combination of the low toxicity and the encapsulation properties of the obtained calixresorcinarene-mPEG conjugate shows promising potential for the use as a supramolecular drug-delivery system.

Unusual nanosized associates of carboxy-calix[4]resorcinarene and cetylpyridinium chloride: the macrocycle as a glue for surfactant micelles

The association of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) micelles in the presence of octaacetated tetraphenyleneoxymethylcalix[4]resorcinarene (CR) leads to the formation of unusual spherical supramolecular nanoparticles (SNPs). Within the range of CR/CPC molar ratios from 10/1 to 1/10 (except for 1/8), CR, acting as a counterion, decreases the critical micelle concentration of CPC by one order of magnitude and leads to the formation of SNPs with an average hydrodynamic radius of 164 nm and an average zeta potential of -60 mV. The formation of SNPs was studied by NMR FT-PGSE and 2D NOESY, DLS, TEM, fluorimetry, and UV-Vis methods. The stability of SNPs at different temperatures and pH values and in the presence of electrolytes was investigated. The specificity of the interactions of the SNPs with substrates that were preferentially bound by a macrocycle or CPC micelle was studied. The enhancement of cation dye binding in the presence of SNPs is shown. The presented supramolecular system may serve as a nanocapsule for water-soluble and water-insoluble compounds.

Amphiphilic calixresorcinarene associates as effective solubilizing agents for hydrophobic organic acids: construction of nano-aggregates

Here we represent the first example of the formation of mixed nanoscale associates, constructed from amphiphilic calixresorcinarenes and hydrophobic carboxylic acids including drugs. The amidoamino-calixresorcinarene self-associates effectively solubilize hydrophobic carboxylic acids - drugs such as naproxen, ibuprofen, ursodeoxycholic acid and aliphatic dodecanoic acid - with the formation of the mixed aggregates with the macrocycle/substrate stoichiometry from 1/1 to 1/7. The ionization of organic acids and the peripheral nitrogen atoms of the macrocycles with the subsequent inclusion of hydrophobic acids into the macrocycle self-associates is the driving force of solubilization. In some cases, this leads to the co-assembly of the macrocycle polydisperse associates into supramolecular monodisperse nanoparticles with the diameter of about 100 nm. The efficiency of drug loading into the nanoparticles is up to 45% and depends on the structure of organic acid. The dissociation of the mixed aggregates and release of organic acid are attained by decreasing pH.

Highly selective binding of methyl orange dye by cationic water-soluble pillar[5]arenes

The bulky/negatively charged substituents of guest anions hinder the substrate entering the π-electron rich pillar[5]arene cavity.