Synthesis, crystal structures and complexing ability of difunctionalized copillar[5]arene Schiff bases

Abstract

An efficient method for the synthesis of some difunctionalized copillar[5]arene Schiff bases from condensation of salicylaldehyde and its 5-chloro, 5-bromo, 3,5-di(t-butyl) substituted derivatives with corresponding diamino-functionalized copillar[5]arene, which were prepared by Gabriel reaction according to the reported method. Single-crystals of six copillar[5]arenes were determined by X-ray diffraction. An ORTEP of compounds showed that the two chains units of Schiff base exist in the outside of the cavity of pillar[5]arene. Furthermore, the complexing ability of these Schiff bases to transition metal ions were investigated by UV and fluorescence spectroscopy.