Tunable Zn2+ and Cu2+ calixarene complexes as polytopic building blocks for guest recognition

A novel Ag(i)-calix[4]arene coordination polymer for the sensitive detection and efficient photodegradation of nitrobenzene in aqueous solution

Nitrobenzene (NB) is a widespread and highly toxic organic pollutant in water, and consequently its detection and removal have attracted considerable attention. In the present study, we designed and synthesized a novel coordination polymer, [AgL_0.5(NO₃)]_n (1), {L = 25,26,27,28-tetra[(3-pyridylmethyl)oxy]calix[4]arene}, from AgNO₃ and a tetra-pyridyl-functionalized calix[4]arene ligand, which possessed a 2D network based on [Ag₄L(NO₃)₄] units. The 1-modified glassy carbon electrode (1/GCE) exhibited good electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of NB, offering the selective detection of NB in a wide linear range (1-2450 μM) and a low detection limit (0.62 μM). Furthermore, it displayed excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of NB in aqueous solution under UV light. The kinetics of the catalytic degradation reaction and the stability of the catalyst were also studied. These results indicated that compound 1 is a favorable material for the effective determination and degradation of NB, which makes it a promising candidate in both monitoring water quality and treating wastewater.

Three-Dimensional Network Structures Based on Pyridyl-Calix[4]Arene Metal Complexes

A new series of supramolecular assemblies is obtained through the interaction of 3-pyridylmethyl-calixarenes and copper or zinc ions. The complexes formed are characterized both in solution and in the solid state. The results offer appealing insights into how the steric crowding of the lower rim and different coordination modes of the metal centers have a great impact on the overall architecture of the complexes with the formation of monomeric, dimeric, or oligomeric/polymeric species.

The first study about the relationship between the extractability of thiacalix[4]arene derivatives and the position of the coordination binding sites

Three organic ionophores (2-4) based on the p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene backbone, blocked in the 1,3-alternate conformation, bearing two pyridyl coordinating moieties (ortho for 2, meta for 3 and para for 4), have been synthesized and characterized in the solid state. The solvent extraction experiments with the metal ions showed that the ability of these derivatives to complex with Ag(+) appeared to be largely dependent on the position of the nitrogen atoms of the pyridyl ring. Two different complexation modes have been confirmed by 1H NMR titration. Ionophore 2 armed with two pyridyl moieties, complexed with Ag(+) cation through N···Ag(+)···S interactions; however, ionophore 3 and ionophore 4 complexed with Ag(+) through metal-nitrogen (N···Ag(+)) interactions. The DFT computational studies were consistent with the experimental findings. These findings will provide us with an important rule to design an appropriate thiacalix[4]arene ionophore in the future. Another study on the possibility for application of ionophores 2-4 for the treatment of waste water containing Cr(VI) and Cr(III), showed that ionophore 3 was useful in the application of the solvent extraction method in selective treatment of waste water containing Cr(VI) and Cr(III) prior to discharge.