Binding mechanisms of nano-baskets toward alkali metals

Abstract

Thirty-four nano-basket derivatives of di-ionizable calix[4]arene conformers in nine scaffolds bearing two pendant groups of N-(R)-sulfonyl carboxamides were synthesized and examined using isothermal titration calorimetry. The binding mechanisms of synthesized conformers toward alkali metal cations were evaluated and two main interactions were assessed including cation–π interaction between alkali metal and the aromatic unit of conformer as well as the strong binding ion–dipole interaction between nitrogen atoms in the pendant groups and alkali cation. The ITC data revealed that the bindings of cone and partial-cone conformers toward alkali metal cations exhibited one-step mechanism, while both 1,2 alternate conformer bounds the alkali metal cations in a two-step mechanism.