Chemically Modified Cyclodextrins: An Attractive Class of Supramolecular Hosts for the Development of Aqueous Biphasic Catalytic Processes

Calixarenes and cyclodextrins as off- and on-fluorescence probes for carbazole

Absorption and fluorescence spectra of the nitrogen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon carbazole (CZL) were analyzed with native cyclodextrins (CD;α,β,γ); derivatizedCD(hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin,HPCD; methyl-β-cyclodextrin,MeCD) and p-sulfonated calixarenes (SCAn, with n = 6 and 8) macrocycles. The results showed a slight increase in the absorbance ofCZLwithCD, but the mixture ofCZLwithSCAshowed lower absorption than the sum of the individual spectra. Also, changes in fluorescence were observed by adding the macrocycles, quenching withSCA, and significant increases withCD. The higher fluorescence enhancement was withHPCDrationalized as a complex formation with 1:1 stoichiometry, with an average value for the association constant (KA) of (12 ± 1) x 102M-1, and a quantum yield ratio between the complexedCZLand freeCZL(ΦCZL-HPCD/ΦCZL) of (1.56 ± 0.02) at neutral pH and 25.0 °C. These increases in fluorescence were used as an on-fluorescence switch to develop a supramolecular analytical method forCZLin aqueous samples. The best analytical parameters were inHPCD(LOD = 1.41 ± 0.01 ng mL-1). The method was validated in aqueous samples of river and tap water with recoveries between 96%-104%. The proposed supramolecular method is quick, direct, selective and represents an alternative and low-cost analysis method.

Multi-State Dynamic Coordination Complexes Interconverted through Counterion-Controlled Phase Transfer

We studied a series of dynamic weak-link approach (WLA) complexes that can be shuttled between two immiscible solvents and switched between two structural states via ion exchange. Here, we established that hydrophobic anions transfer cationic, amphiphilic complexes from the aqueous phase to the organic phase, while a chloride source reverses the process. As a result of the dynamic metal coordination properties of WLA complexes, the denticity of these complexes (mono- to bi-) can be modulated as they partition into different phases. In addition, we discovered that heteroligated complexes bearing ligands of different donor strengths preferentially rearrange into two homoligated complexes that are phase-partitioned to maximize the number of stronger coordination bonds. This behavior is not observed in systems with one solvent, highlighting the dynamic and stimuli-responsive nature of hemilabile ligands in a multiphasic solvent environment. Taken together, this work shows that the highly reconfigurable WLA modality can enable the design of biphasic reaction networks or chemical separations driven by straightforward salt metathesis reactions.

Pushing the limits: Cyclodextrin-based intensification of bioreductions

The asymmetric reduction of ketones is a frequently used synthesis route towards chiral alcohols. Amongst available chemo- and biocatalysts the latter stand out in terms of product enantiopurity. Their application is, however, restricted by low reaction output, often rooted in limited enzyme stability under operational conditions. Here, addition of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin to bioreductions of o-chloroacetophenone enabled product concentrations of up to 29 % w/v at full conversion and 99.97 % e.e. The catalyst was an E. coli strain co-expressing NADH-dependent Candida tenuis xylose reductase and a yeast formate dehydrogenase for coenzyme recycling. Analysis of the lyophilized biocatalyst showed that E. coli cells were leaky with catalytic activity found as free-floating enzymes and associated with the biomass. The biocatalyst was stabilized and activated in the reaction mixture by 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. Substitution of the wild-type xylose reductase by a D51A mutant further improved bioreductions. In previous optimization strategies, hexane was added as second phase to protect the labile catalyst from adverse effects of hydrophobic substrate and product. The addition of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (11 % w/v) instead of hexane (20 % v/v) increased the yield on biocatalyst 6.3-fold. A literature survey suggests that bioreduction enhancement by addition of cyclodextrins is not restricted to specific enzyme classes, catalyst forms or substrates.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Aqueous Biphasic Olefin Hydroformylation Promoted by Amphiphilic Cyclodextrins

Hydroformylation is an industrial process that allows for the production of aldehydes from alkenes using transition metals. The reaction can be carried out in water, and the catalyst may be recycled at the end of the reaction. The industrial application of rhodium-catalyzed aqueous hydroformylation has been demonstrated for smaller olefins (propene and butene). Unfortunately, larger olefins are weakly soluble in water, which results in very low catalytic activity. In an attempt to counteract this, we investigated the use of amphiphilic oleic succinyl-cyclodextrins (OS-CDs) synthesized from oleic acid derivatives and maleic anhydride. OS-CDs were found to increase the catalytic activity of rhodium during the hydroformylation of water-insoluble olefins, such as 1-decene and 1-hexadecene, by promoting mass transfer. Recyclability of the catalytic system was also evaluated in the presence of these cyclodextrins.

Synthesis of the chiral selector heptakis(6-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin by phase-transfer catalysis and hydrazine-mediated transfer-hydrogenation

The exhaustive primary-side alkylation of cyclodextrins has never been achieved directly. The undesired and simultaneous derivatization of the secondary hydroxyl moieties generates intricate isomeric mixtures that are challenging to purify, analyse and characterize. The aim of this study was to develop a chromatography-free and up-scalable strategy towards the preparation of per-6-O-methylated cyclodextrin and to test the compound as potential chiral selector. The target molecule was prepared according to a five-step synthesis by using methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide as catalyst under heterogeneous conditions. The removal of benzyl moieties, used as temporary secondary-side protecting groups, was attained by applying hydrazine-carbonate in the presence of Pd/C. All the intermediates were obtained in high yields, thoroughly characterized and their purity was assessed by ad-hoc developed HPLC methods. The per-6-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin showed promising chiral recognition ability as background electrolyte additive in cyclodextrin-modified capillary electrophoresis using the recreational drug methylene-dioxypyrovalerone as model compound. Additionally, a model for the inclusion geometry between the single isomer host and the selected drug was developed based on the extensive 2D NMR analysis. The versatility of the proposed synthetic strategy opens the way to the industrial production of homogeneously primary-alkylated cyclodextrins and to their wide application in chiral separation of various drugs.

Supramolecular Chemistry and Self-Organization: A Veritable Playground for Catalysis

The directed assembly of molecular building blocks into discrete supermolecules or extended supramolecular networks through noncovalent intermolecular interactions is an ongoing challenge in chemistry. This challenge may be overcome by establishing a hierarchy of intermolecular interactions that, in turn, may facilitate the edification of supramolecular assemblies. As noncovalent interactions can be used to accelerate the reaction rates and/or to increase their selectivity, the development of efficient and practical catalytic systems, using supramolecular chemistry, has been achieved during the last few decades. However, between discrete and extended supramolecular assemblies, the newly developed “colloidal tectonics” concept allows us to link the molecular and macroscopic scales through the structured engineering of colloidal structures that can be applied to the design of predictable, versatile, and switchable catalytic systems. The main cutting-edge strategies involving supramolecular chemistry and self-organization in catalysis will be discussed and compared in this review.

Functional materials generated by allying cyclodextrin-based supramolecular chemistry with living polymerization

Cyclodextrin molecules are cyclic oligosaccharides that display a unique structure including an inner side and two faces on their outer sides.

Poly-cyclodextrin cryogels with aligned porous structure for removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from water

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are sugar-based cyclic oligosaccharides, which form inclusion complexes with small guest molecules through their hydrophobic cavity. Here we successfully synthesized highly porous poly-cyclodextrin (poly-CD) cryogels, which were produced under cryogenic conditions by the cross-linking of amine-functional CDs with PEG-based diepoxide cross-linker. The poly-CD cryogels showed aligned porous network structures owing to the directional freezing of the matrix, of which the pore size and architecture exposed variations depending on the composition of the reactants. The cryogels were employed for the removal of genotoxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from aqueous solutions. They reached PAH sorption capacities as high as 1.25mg PAH per gram cryogel. This high sorption performance is due to interactions between PAHs and the complete swollen network, and thus, is not restricted by interfacial adsorption. Given that the hydrophilic nature of the components, the sorption performance could only be attributed to the inclusion complex formation of CDs with PAH molecules. The poly-CD cryogels could be recycled with an exposure to ethanol and reused without any significant loss in the sorption capacity of PAHs.

Modular synthesis of propargylamine modified cyclodextrins by a gold(iii)-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction

A modular approach for the synthesis of propargylamine modified β-cyclodextrins has been developed through a gold(iii)-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction.

New Electrochemically-Modified Carbon Paste Inclusion β-Cyclodextrin and Carbon Nanotubes Sensors for Quantification of Dorzolamide Hydrochloride

The present article introduces a new approach to fabricate carbon paste sensors, including carbon paste, modified carbon paste inclusion β-cyclodextrin, and carbon nanotubes for the quantification of dorzolamide hydrochloride (DRZ). This study is mainly based on the construction of three different carbon paste sensors by the incorporation of DRZ with phosphotungstic acid (PTA) to form dorzolamide-phosphotungstate (DRZ-PT) as an electroactive material in the presence of the solvent mediator ortho-nitrophenyloctyl ether (o-NPOE). The fabricated conventional carbon paste sensor (sensor I), as well as the other modified carbon paste sensors using β-cyclodextrin (sensor II) and carbon nanotubes (sensor III), have been investigated. The sensors displayed Nernstian responses of 55.4 ± 0.6, 56.4 ± 0.4 and 58.1 ± 0.2 mV·decade⁻¹ over concentration ranges of 1.0 × 10⁻⁵–1.0 × 10⁻², 1.0 × 10⁻⁶–1.0 × 10⁻², and 5.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻² mol·L⁻¹ with lower detection limits of 5.0 × 10⁻⁶, 5.0 × 10⁻⁷, and 2.5 × 10⁻⁹ mol·L⁻¹ for sensors I, II, and III, respectively. The critical performance of the developed sensors was checked with respect to the effect of various parameters, including pH, selectivity, response time, linear concentration relationship, lifespan, etc. Method validation was applied according to the international conference on harmonisation of technical requirements for registration of pharmaceuticals for human use ICH guidelines. The developed sensors were employed for the determination of DRZ in its bulk and dosage forms, as well as bio-samples. The observed data were statistically analyzed and compared with those obtained from other published methods.

Supramolecular control of transition metal complexes in water by a hydrophobic cavity: a bio-inspired strategy

Different strategies for obtaining water-soluble cavity-appended metal complexes are described, and their resulting interlocked assets are discussed in relationship with the very specific properties of water as a solvent.

Palladium nanoparticles on β-cyclodextrin functionalised graphene nanosheets: a supramolecular based heterogeneous catalyst for C–C coupling reactions under green reaction conditions

Palladium nanoparticles on β-cyclodextrin functionalised graphene based supramolecular heterogeneous catalyst are used for Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck–Mizoroki coupling reactions under green reaction conditions.

NMR analysis of a series of 1,2-bis(1-R-5-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-4-ylidene)ethanes and X-ray crystal structure analysis of the R = mesityl compound

Four tetramethyl 4,4'-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis[1-R-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2,3-dicarboxylate] compounds, denoted class (1), are a series of conjugated buta-1,3-dienes substituted with a heterocyclic group. The compounds can be used as dyes and pigments due to their long-range conjugated systems. Four structures were studied using (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and mass spectroscopy, viz. with R = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, (1a), R = cyclohexyl, (1b), R = tert-butyl, (1c), and R = isopropyl, (1d). A detailed discussion is presented regarding the characteristics of the three-dimensional structures based on NMR analysis and the X-ray crystal structure of (1a), namely tetramethyl 4,4'-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis[5-oxo-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2,3-dicarboxylate], C36H36N2O10. The conjugation plane and stability were also studied via quantum chemical calculations.

Supramolecular catalysis. Part 2: artificial enzyme mimics

The design of artificial catalysts able to compete with the catalytic proficiency of enzymes is an intense subject of research. Non-covalent interactions are thought to be involved in several properties of enzymatic catalysis, notably (i) the confinement of the substrates and the active site within a catalytic pocket, (ii) the creation of a hydrophobic pocket in water, (iii) self-replication properties and (iv) allosteric properties. The origins of the enhanced rates and high catalytic selectivities associated with these properties are still a matter of debate. Stabilisation of the transition state and favourable conformations of the active site and the product(s) are probably part of the answer. We present here artificial catalysts and biomacromolecule hybrid catalysts which constitute good models towards the development of truly competitive artificial enzymes.

Inclusion complexes of red bell pepper pigments with β-cyclodextrin: preparation, characterisation and application as natural colorant in yogurt

This work aimed to prepare inclusion complexes between red bell pepper pigments and β-cyclodextrin using two different procedures (i.e., magnetic stirring and ultrasonic homogenisation), to characterise the prepared inclusion complexes and to evaluate the colour stability of a selected complex added to yogurt. The mass ratio of extract to β-cyclodextrin was 1:4. The formed extract: β-cyclodextrin complexes and a physical mixture of extract and β-cyclodextrin were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, particle size distribution and Zeta potential. The obtained data showed that ultrasonic homogenisation resulted in better yield and inclusion efficiency compared to magnetic stirring. The yogurt with the added complex produced by ultrasonic homogenisation showed slower variations for the a(∗) (redness) and b(∗) (yellowness) indices compared to yogurt with added extract, indicating a higher protection of the colour during storage.