Lower-rim ferrocenyl substituted calixarenes: new electrochemical sensors for anions

New ferrocene substituted calix[4 and 5]arenes have been prepared and the crystal structure of a lower-rim substituted bis ferrocene calix[4]arene (7) has been elucidated. The respective ferrocene/ferrocenium redox-couples of compounds 6 (a calix[4]arene tetra ferrocene amide) and 8 (a calix[5]arene pentaferrocene amide) are shown to be significantly cathodically perturbed in the presence of anions by up to 160 mV in the presence of dihydrogen phosphate

Synthesis of monoalkylated calix[4]arenes via direct alkylation

A new one-step procedure for the synthesis of monoalkylated calix[4]arenes is presented. Reaction of calix[4]arene 1a or 1b with 1.2 equivalent of a weak base (K2CO3 in MeCN or CsF in DMF) and excess of alkylating agent affords the monoalkylated calix[4]arenes in moderate to good yield

Synthesis and Recognition Properties of Higher Order Tetrathiafulvalene (Ttf) Calix N Pyrroles (N=4-6)

Two new benzoTTF-annulated calix[n]pyrroles (n = 5 and 6) were synthesized via a one-step acid catalyzed condensation reaction and fully characterized via single crystallographic analyses. As compared to the known tetra-TTF annulated calix[4]pyrrole, which is also produced under the conditions of the condensation reaction, the expanded calix[n]pyrroles (n = 5 and 6) are characterized by a larger cavity size and a higher number of TTF units (albeit the same empirical formula). Analysis of the binding isotherms obtained from UV-Vis spectroscopic titrations carried out in CHCl3 in the presence of both anionic (Cl-, Br-, I-, CH3COO-, H2PO4-, and HSO4-) and neutral (1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)) substrates revealed that as a general rule the calix[6]pyrrole derivative proved to be the most efficient molecular receptor for anions, while the calix[4]pyrrole congener proves most effective for the recognition of TNB and TNT. These findings are rationalized in terms of the number of electron rich TTF subunits and NH hydrogen bond donor groups within the series, as well as an ability to adopt conformations suitable for substrate recognition, and are supported by solid state structural analyses.National Science Foundation CHE 1057904, 0741973Robert A. Welch Foundation F-1018Danish Natural Science Research Council (FNU) 272-08-0047, 11-106744WCU (World Class University) program of Korea R32-2010-10217-0Villum FoundationChemistr

Report of epibiont Thecacineta calix (Ciliophora: Suctorea) on deep sea Desmodora (Nematoda) from the Andaman Sea, Indian Ocean

Suctorian epibionts Thecacineta calix attached on the cuticle of nematodes Desmodora sphaerica and D. pontica are reported here from the deep sea hexactinellid sponge Pheronema sp. from the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean). The epibiont T. calix is reported here for first time from the Andaman Sea

Synthetic routes to Bis-Calix [n]areness : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masterate of Science in Chemistry at Massey University

The literature procedures for the targeted syntheses of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene, p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene, p-tert-butylcalix[7]arene, and p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene have been repeated successfully. In the case of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, alterations led to a less capricious procedure, synthesis of the pure product directly and in higher yield. The residual xylene and toluene solutions from the targeted p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene preparation were utilised to obtain workable quantities of the rare calix[5]- and calix[7]arenes, a protocol that is far simpler and less time-consuming than the low-yielding targeted synthesis of these compounds. Dealkylation of p-tert-butylcalix[n]arenes is best accomplished at 30°C in 0.16-0.05 molL−¹ toluene solution. The insolubility of calix[8]arene in all common organic solvents is expected to limit its synthetic use. Two new protocols have been devised for the highly selective mono-O-alkylation of calixarenes 4 through 8. This work represents the realisation of the first selective functionalisation methods that are applicable to the calixarene family, and also the first selective functionalisation of a calix[7]arene. These findings will lead to more efficient synthesis of multiple calixarenes (cf. Chapter 3) and may allow for a better understanding of the reasons for selectivity in calixarene-O-alkylations. We have been able to synthesise a variety of bis-calixarenes by two different routes. Glaser-Hay coupling allowed the synthesis of symmetrical diyne bridged bis-calix[4, 6 and 8]arenes in high yield. Extension of the first general mono-O-alkylation procedure for calixarenes has made it possible to synthesise hom o-bis-calixarenes in good yield in one step from the parent calixarenes. The unexpected formation of monobromoxylyl calixarenes allows the prospect of the synthesis of hetero-bis-calixarenes under more forcing conditions. Most importantly this allows us to further explore the chemistry of bis-calixarenes by making them readily available (in large quantities) for more elaborate syntheses

Metallocalixarene catalysts: α-olefin polymerization and ROP of cyclic esters

This perspective review discusses metallocalix[n]arene complexes that have been employed in either α-olefin polymerization or in the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters over the last 5 years. Synthesis, molecular structure and catalytic potential are discussed. For α-olefin polymerization, systems based on early transition metals in combination with calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6 or 8), depleted calix[4]arenes or thia/sulfinyl/sulfonyl calix[4]arenes have been reported, and in some cases, are highly active. For the ROP studies, a number of the systems, typically of the early transition metals, only exhibit activity under robust conditions, whereas other systems, for example those of magnesium, demonstrate exceptional activity, immortal behaviour and intriguing stereoselectivity

Observation of an incoherent thermally activated proton hopping process in calix-[4]-arene by means of anelastic spectroscopy

The anelastic spectrum of calix[4]arene was measured at two different vibrational frequencies. Three thermally activated peaks were detected. The lowest temperature peak can be described considering a continous distribution function of activation energies for the relaxation. This anelastic peak can be ascribed to a thermally activated hopping process of H atoms of the OH groups, corresponding to a flip-flop of the OH bond. From the results of the present study, it seems that anelastic spectroscopy is a good experimental technique to study atomic motion inside molecules at a mesoscopic (few molecules) level.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

A Dicationic Calix 4 Pyrrole Derivative and Its Use for the Selective Recognition and Displacement-Based Sensing of Pyrophosphate

A new bis-pyridinium calix[4] pyrrole derivative is reported. This system forms a non-fluorescent complex upon exposure to the chromenolate anion. The resulting supramolecular ensemble binds the pyrophosphate anion with high affinity (K-a (2.55 +/- 0.12) x 10(7) M-1) in acetonitrile. It exhibits sensitive "turn-on" fluorescence when exposed to tetrabutylammonium pyrophosphate, and does so in preference to other anions, including the fluoride and phosphate anions.NRF 2009-0087013BK21 programNational Science Foundation NSF CHE-1057904Chemistr

Zinc calixarene complexes for the ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters

Reaction of Zn(C₆F₅)₂·toluene (two equivalents) with 1,3-dipropoxy-p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene (L¹H₂) led to the isolation of the complex [{Zn(C₆F₅)}₂L¹] (1), whilst similar use of Zn(Me)₂ resulted in the known complex [{Zn(Me)}₂L¹] (2). Treatment of L¹H₂ with in situ prepared Zn{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂ in refluxing toluene led to the isolation of the compound [(Na)ZnN(SiMe₃)₂L¹] (3). The stepwise reaction of L¹H₂ and sodium hydride, followed by ZnCl₂ and finally NaN(SiMe₃)₂ yielded the compound [Zn{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂L¹] (4). The reaction between three equivalents of Zn(C₆F₅)₂·toluene and oxacalix[3]arene (L²H₃) at room temperature formed the compound {[Zn(C₆F₅)]₃L²} (5); heating of 5 in acetonitrile caused the ring opening of the parent oxacalix[3]arene and rearrangement to afford the complex [(L²)Zn₆(C₆F₅)(R)(RH)OH]·5MeCN R = C₆F₅CH₂-(p-ᵗBuPhenolate-CH₂OCH₂–)₂–p-ᵗBuPhenolate-CH₂O⁻)³⁻ (6). The molecular structures of the new complexes 1, 3 and 6, together with that of the known complex 2, whose solid state structure has not previously been reported, have been determined. Compounds 1, 3–5 have been screened for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and rac-lactide. Compounds featuring a Zn–C₆F₅ fragment were found to be poor ROP pre-catalysts as they did not react with benzyl alcohol to form an alkoxide. By contrast, compound 4, which contains a zinc silylamide linkage, was the most active of the zinc-based calix[4]arene compounds screened and was capable of ROP at ambient temperature with 65% conversion over 4 h