Ditopic Receptor Research Articles

A New Biphenol-bis(polyazacyclophane) Receptor with Unusual Photophysical Properties Towards Zn2.

The new ligand 3,3'-bis(((2-(3,6,9-triaza-1(2,6)-pyridinacyclodecaphane-6-yl)ethyl)amino)methyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2,2'-diol (L) has been synthesized and characterized. It contains two pyridinacyclophane macrocycles spaced by a 2,2'-biphenol moiety. The acid-base behaviour of L as well as its binding properties towards Zn2+ ion have been investigated. This work is inserted in the field of fluorescent ditopic receptors, formed by two polyamines spaced by a aromatic fragments. This ligand represents a new example of a peculiar case of polyamine fluorescent receptor in which the interaction with Zn2+ is translated into a deactivation of the emission. Enough data to describe and explain this unusual behaviour was obtained through potentiometric, UV-Vis, fluorescence and NMR titrations as well as theoretical calculations. This studies have shown that the metal cation is indirectly affecting the emission favouring a conformation in which the fluorophore is at stacking distance from the electron poor pyridine moieties. This gives rise to an oxidative photoinduced electron transfer from the excited state of the fluorophore to the electron-poor Zn2+ coordined pyridine.

β,β-Directly Linked Porphyrin Rings: Synthesis, Photophysical Properties, and Fullerene Binding.

Cyclic porphyrin oligomers have been studied as models for photosynthetic light-harvesting antenna complexes and as potential receptors for supramolecular chemistry. Here, we report the synthesis of unprecedented β,β-directly linked cyclic zinc porphyrin oligomers, the trimer (CP3) and tetramer (CP4), by Yamamoto coupling of a 2,3-dibromoporphyrin precursor. Their three-dimensional structures were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The minimum-energy geometries of CP3 and CP4 have propeller and saddle shapes, respectively, as calculated using density functional theory. Their different geometries result in distinct photophysical and electrochemical properties. The smaller dihedral angles between the porphyrin units in CP3, compared with CP4, result in stronger π-conjugation, splitting the ultraviolet-vis absorption bands and shifting them to longer wavelengths. Analysis of the crystallographic bond lengths indicates that the central benzene ring of the CP3 is partially aromatic [harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) 0.52], whereas the central cyclooctatetraene ring of the CP4 is non-aromatic (HOMA -0.02). The saddle-shaped structure of CP4 makes it a ditopic receptor for fullerenes, with affinity constants of (1.1 ± 0.4) × 105 M-1 for C70 and (2.2 ± 0.1) × 104 M-1 for C60, respectively, in toluene solution at 298 K. The formation of a 1:2 complex with C60 is confirmed by NMR titration and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Torsional Rotation in Ditopic Receptor Host and its Complex Formation with Resorcinol Guest: A Computational Study.

Noncovalent interactions due to the presence of heteroatoms in supramolecular compounds have gained a lot of attention. These different heteroatom-based supramolecular compounds have inspired us to examine the noncovalent interaction in the isolated host and host-guest complexes. In view of this, in the current manuscript, we investigated the stability and torsional energy barrier of different conformers of the ditopic receptor host 1,6-bis(2,6-bis(benzothiazol-2-yl) pyridine-4-yloxy) hexane (bbh). The conformer that is accompanied by intramolecular C-H⋯N and C-H⋯S interactions is relatively more stable than the others. Due to torsional angle rotation within the host, the C-H⋯N and C-H⋯S interactions get disrupted and exhibit different binding sites for capturing guest molecules. In addition, we have extended the investigation to understand the interaction energy and nature of interaction in host-guest (1 : 1 and 1 : 2) complexes formed between the host (bbh) and guest (resorcinol) by using different DFT functionals. Extended transition state-natural orbital chemical valence (ETS-NOCV) analysis of complexes revealed that the electrostatic interaction significantly contributes to the host-guest interaction energy. The noncovalent (NCI) analysis provides the existence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and other weak interactions within the complexes.

Anion Binding by Fluorescent Ureido-Hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene Receptors: An NMR, Absorption and Emission Spectroscopic Study.

Fluorescent receptors (4a–4c) based on (thio)ureido-functionalized hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arenes were synthesised and obtained in the partial cone conformation in solution. Naphthyl or pyrenyl fluorogenic units were introduced at the lower rim of the calixarene skeleton via a butyl spacer. The binding of biologically and environmentally relevant anions was studied with NMR, UV–vis absorption, and fluorescence titrations. Fluorescence of the pyrenyl receptor 4c displays both monomer and excimer fluorescence. The thermodynamics of complexation was determined in acetonitrile and was entropy-driven. Computational studies were also performed to bring further insight into the binding process. The data showed that association constants increase with the anion basicity, and AcO−, BzO− and F− were the best bound anions for all receptors. Pyrenylurea 4c is a slightly better receptor than naphthylurea 4a, and both are more efficient than naphthyl thiourea 4b. In addition, ureas 4a and 4c were also tested as ditopic receptors in the recognition of alkylammonium salts.

2-Ferrocenylimidazole-based multiresponsive receptors for Al3+, Cu2+, and H2PO4− ions: Effect of structural modification on the ion sensing performance

Two 2-ferrocenylimidazoles decorated with two pyridyl arms, 2-ferrocenyl-4,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole (L1) and 2-ferrocenyl-4,5-di(3-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole (L2), have been synthesized as potential multichannel ditopic receptors for cations and anions, owing to the presence of redox, chromogenic and fluorescent groups at the imidazole core. The structures of L1 and its Ag(I) complex (I) [L12·Ag2·(NO3)2] were further confirmed by X-ray crystal analysis. The most salient features derived from sensing studies are that L1 behaves as a highly selective fluorescent “turn-on” receptor for Al3+ and Cu2+ cations, whereas L2 acts as a dual fluorescent “turn-on” and redox selective receptor for H2PO4− anions. This significant change in fluorescent sensing selectivity is due to the change in the relative position of N atoms in the pyridyl groups. Furthermore, the resulting complexes of L1-Al3+ and L1-Cu2+ systems are able to detect Br− and I− by color changes. The sensing mechanism and binding mode of these two receptors were confirmed by titration spectra and ESI-MS. Finally, living cell imaging experiments demonstrated the value of L1 in the fluorescent visualization of Al3+ ions in biological systems.

Recognition of Anions, Monoamine Neurotransmitter and Trace Amine Hydrochlorides by Ureido‐Hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene Ditopic Receptors

Hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene‐based receptors (phenylurea 4a, phenylthiourea 4b and tert‐butylurea 4c) were synthesised and obtained in the partial cone conformation in solution. Phenylurea 4a was also obtained in the cone conformation and its X‐ray crystal structure is reported. Their binding properties towards several anions of different geometries were studied by 1H NMR titrations. The data showed that phenylurea cone 4a is the best anion receptor, displaying a very high affinity for the carboxylates AcO– and BzO– anions (log Kass = 4.12 and 4.00, respectively). Phenylurea partial cone 4a and phenylthiourea 4b, although weaker, are still reasonably good receptors, showing the same trend as cone 4a. tert‐Butylurea 4c exhibited very low affinity for all the anions, confirming that the association constants strongly depend on the nature of the substituent (aryl/alkyl) at the urea moiety. In addition, cone and partial cone 4a derivatives were also tested in the recognition of n‐alkylammonium salts and cone 4a also as a ditopic receptor for biogenic amine hydrochlorides by 1H NMR titrations. Cone 4a showed an outstanding affinity for the guest alkylammonium and amines, even at 298 K and in a more competitive solvent such as CDCl3/[D6]DMSO mixture. DFT calculations corroborated the NMR observations.

Theoretical study on noncovalent interaction of molecular tweezers by Zn(II) salphen-azo-crown ether triads receptor.

A novel zinc(II)-salphen-azo-benzo-15-crown-5 triad receptor was studied theoretically as ditopic recognition of hydrophobic amino acid. And density functional theory was used to investigate the Zn(II) salphen-crown ether complex (L1), complex L2 (L1 with the alkaline metal cation Na+), and the corresponding 1:1 sandwich complex (complex L with tryptophan). In this work, geometrical optimization was carried out using ωB97XD functional and def2-SVP basis set for all atoms. The absorption spectra and excited-states were calculated using time-dependent density functional theory and ωB97XD/def2-TZVP level. The absorption spectra data show some significantly shifts in the absorption band due to the present of Na+ or tryptophan. In addition, interfragment interactions between receptor L and tryptophan were analyzed in detail by Independent Gradient Model and topological properties of Bader's atoms in molecules theory, which is found to contribute to forming the metal-ligand bonds, intermolecular H-bond, and van der Waals interaction in 1:1 sandwich complex. The above results demonstrate that the L2 complex is a ditopic receptor to be utilized to recognize amphiphilic molecule - tryptophan.

From reactive carbenes to chiral polyether macrocycles in two steps - synthesis and applications made easy?

Chiral polyether macrocycles are versatile molecules. For their preparation, original two-step procedures were recently developed and present the advantages of high concentration conditions and simple starting reagents (stable diazo reagents, small cyclic ethers, aliphatic or aromatic amines). Enantiopure materials are readily afforded by CSP-HPLC on a semi-preparative scale. Flexibility and adaptability in the macrocyclic design are provided by a large selection of amines to choose from while the ring size and chemical nature are controlled by the choice of 5 to 7-membered cyclic ether precursors. Such macrocycles have already been used as asymmetric catalysts, mono and ditopic receptors, fluorescent sensors and probes, and chiroptical reversible switches.

Ditopic Receptors Based on Dihomooxacalix[4]arenes Bearing Phenylurea Moieties With Electron-Withdrawing Groups for Anions and Organic Ion Pairs.

Two bidentate dihomooxacalix[4]arene receptors bearing phenylurea moieties substituted with electron-withdrawing groups at the lower rim via a butyl spacer (CF3-Phurea 5b and NO2 Phurea 5c) were obtained in the cone conformation in solution, as shown by NMR. The X-ray crystal structure of 5b is reported. The binding affinity of these receptors toward several relevant anions was investigated by 1H NMR, UV-Vis absorption in different solvents, and fluorescence titrations. Compounds 5b and 5c were also tested as ditopic receptors for organic ion pairs, namely monoamine neurotransmitters and trace amine hydrochlorides by 1H NMR studies. The data showed that both receptors follow the same trend and, in comparison with the unsubstituted phenylurea 5a, they exhibit a significant enhancement on their host-guest properties, owing to the increased acidity of their urea NH protons. NO2-Phurea 5c is the best anion receptor, displaying the strongest complexation for F−, closely followed by the oxoanions BzO−, AcO−, and HS. Concerning ion pair recognition, both ditopic receptors presented an outstanding efficiency for the amine hydrochlorides, mainly 5c, with association constants higher than 109 M−2 in the case of phenylethylamine and tyramine.

Photochromic Barbiturate Pendant-Containing Benzo[b]phosphole Oxides with Co-Assembly Property and Photoinduced Morphological Changes.

A series of novel barbiturate pendant-containing benzo[b]phosphole oxides has been demonstrated to exhibit photochromic and co-assembly properties. Both the open form and the photogenerated closed form of the diarylethene-based benzo[b]phosphole oxides have displayed color changes with new appearance of the bathochromic-shifted lowest-energy absorption bands upon addition of the H-bonding ditopic receptor that is complementary to the barbiturate groups, probably resulting in the formation of a supramolecular polymer. The co-assembly mixtures have displayed dissociation and association processes upon heating and cooling, respectively. Moreover, both the unassembled and co-assembled states of the benzo[b]phosphole oxide have exhibited photoinduced coloration, leading to a near-infrared absorption behavior. Multiaddressable states of the co-assembly mixture with multiple colors have been achieved via the combination of photochromism and thermochromism. More interestingly, photoinduced morphological changes from extensive porous network structures to ring-like aggregates have been observed for the co-assembly upon photoirradiation. The present work provides important insight for further developments of the multiaddressable systems and the supramolecular polymers with photo- and thermo-responsive behaviors, paving the way for the future design of photochromic materials with interesting photocontrollable functions.

Crown Ether Ditopic Receptors for Ammonium Salts with High Affinity for Amino Acid Ester Salts

Two bis crown ether receptors were synthesized and tested as host molecules for protonated forms of alkyl amines and amino acid esters. Molecular recognition studies were conducted in CH2Cl2:MeOH (92:8) by spectrophotometric UV/Vis titrations andby spectrometric 1H NMR titrations in CDCl3. The calculated binding constants are in the range 102-105 M-1. A high affinity for L-amino acid methyl ester derivatives was found. A theoretical study at the DFT level of the synthesized receptor and some analog ligands with three different ammonium ions helps to rationalize the experimentally found trends.

Theoretical design on molecular tweezers of sodium cyanide by zinc porphyrin‐azo‐crown ether triads receptor

AbstractTheoretical study on a novel zinc porphyrin‐azobenzene‐crown ether triads receptor was explored. The(Z)‐5‐(4‐((4‐((4‐((4‐(1,4,7,10,13‐pentaoxacyclopentadecan‐2‐yl)benzyl)oxy)phenyl) diazenyl)phenoxy) methyl)phenyl)porphyrin (L1), the complex L2 (L1 with the metal ion Zn2+), and the corresponding complex L2 of ditopic receptor with sodium cyanide are investigated by density functional theory (DFT). The full optimized geometric structures are calculated at PBE0/6‐311G** level, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis is used to study the interaction of L2 and L2·NaCN molecules. The absorption spectra of L1, L2, and L2·NaCN are studied by time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) and CAM‐B3LYP method. DFT calculations show that the geometric structure of compound L2 binding sodium cyanide change greatly. The absorption peak is significant red‐shifted because of the formation of a 1:1 complex with sodium cyanide. Furthermore, it demonstrates that novel zinc porphyrin‐azo‐crown ethimer triads L2 is suitable ditopic receptor to recognize sodium cyanide salt.

Native Quercetin as a Chloride Receptor in an Organic Solvent.

The binding properties of quercetin toward chloride anions were investigated by means of 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) measurements, as well as computational calculations. The results indicate that quercetin behaves primarily as a ditopic receptor with the binding site of the B ring that exhibits stronger chloride affinity compared to the A ring. However, these sites are stronger receptors than those of catechol and resorcinol because of their conjugation with the carbonyl group located on the C ring. The 1:1 and 1:2 complexation of this flavonoid with Cl− was also supported by ESI mass spectrometry.

Recognition and Extraction of Sodium Chloride by a Squaramide-Based Ion Pair Receptor.

We synthesized an ion pair receptor 1 consisting of a crown ether cation binding site and a squaramide anion binding domain and compared its binding properties to those of its analogous urea counterpart 2. We studied their salt binding properties using spectrophotometric and spectroscopic measurements in an acetonitrile solution and in acetonitrile/water mixtures. Apart from carboxylate anions, all of the anions tested were found to associate with receptor 1 and 2 more strongly in the presence of sodium cations. A homotopic anion receptor 3, lacking a crown ether unit, was unable to bind sodium salt more strongly than tetrabutylammonium salts. Solution and solid-state X-ray measurements revealed strong sodium chloride coordination to receptor 1, which is able to bind this salt even in the presence of 10% water. In contrast to the urea-based ion pair receptor 2 or anion receptor 3, ditopic receptor 1 is capable of extracting sodium chloride from aqueous media to the organic phase, as was evidenced unambiguously by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and atomic absorption spectroscopy analyses.

Ion-pair recognition based on halogen bonding: a case of the crown-ether receptor with iodo-trizole moiety

The development of halogen-bond-based ditopic receptors capable of binding simultaneously both a cation and an anion has attracted recent research interest. In this work, the crown-ether receptor 1, which consists of an iodo-trizole moiety for anion recognition through halogen bonding and a Lewis-basic center for cation binding, was investigated using density functional theory calculations. The structural and energetic features for the complexes of 1 with single cations, single halide anions, and ion pairs were explored. Intermolecular interactions in these complexes were systematically analyzed by the atoms in molecules and noncovalent interaction index methods. The presence of the coordinated cation significantly increases the anion-binding affinity, while the binding of halide anions has a slight influence on the cation-binding affinity. Anti-cooperative effects were found in the ion-pair recognition of 1, due to the strong attraction between the two counterions in the complexes. The solvent weakens the interaction strength considerably, and anti-cooperativity becomes very small in solvent. The results reported in this work are of fundamental importance in the design of ion-pair receptors based on halogen bonding.

Bis-Heteroleptic Ruthenium(II) Complex of Pendant Urea Functionalized Pyridyl Triazole and Phenathroline for Recognition, Sensing, and Extraction of Oxyanions.

A new bis-heteroleptic RuII complex based ditopic receptor, 1[PF6]2, having an anion binding triazole -CH unit and appended 4-fluorophenyl urea arm has been developed. 1H NMR and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments showed binding of 1[PF6]2 toward oxyanions such as phosphates (e.g., H2PO4- and HP2O73-) and carboxylates (e.g., CH3CO2- and C6H5CO2-) anions selectively. 1H NMR studies showed that highly basic phosphate anions such as HP2O73-/H2PO4- are bound by both -CH and -NH units of complex 1[PF6]2. However, comparatively less basic CH3CO2-, C6H5CO2- anions interacted with the urea -NH protons only. Thermodynamic parameters obtained from ITC experiments suggested that binding of all the interacting anions with complex 1[PF6]2 are highly enthalpy and entropy driven processes. Importantly, complex 1[PF6]2 showed extraction of H2PO4-, CH3CO2-, and C6H5CO2- anions from aqueous solution via liquid-liquid extraction with efficiencies of 28%, 74%, and 80%, respectively. The influential role of the urea moiety in the course of extraction is demonstrated by comparison with a model complex, 2[PF6]2. Additionally, complex 1[PF6]2 is capable of selective sensing of phosphate anions among all investigated anions.

New fluorescent metal receptors based on 4,4′-carbonyl bis(carbamoylbenzoic) acid analogues with naphthalene fluorophore

In this manuscript is described a research related with two ditopic receptors based on 4,4′-carbonyl bis(carbamoylbenzoic) acids bearing a naphthyl (2a) and naphthylmethyl fluorophores (2b), which interact with metal ions. The fluorescence properties of both receptors were influenced by the connectivity with the amide group. The non-spaced receptor 2a presents an electron delocalisation from the amide to the naphthyl group having a broad red-shifted emission band and high quantum yield. The spaced receptor 2b presented a photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process from the amide to the naphthyl group, and a structured emission band is present at the UV region with low quantum yield. The different chemical structure influenced the fluorescent response used to analyse the coordination with metallic ions. The 2a receptor has an ON–OFF response because of the inhibition of the ICT process. The 2b receptor shows an OFF–ON response because of the inhibition of the PET process. Additional analytical studies by 1H-NMR and FTIR demonstrated the strong interaction of the amide and carboxylic functional groups with the metallic ions. Competitive experiments with EDTA showed that a very stable complexes are obtained between metallic ions and the new receptors.

Ditopic receptors containing urea groups for solvent extraction of Cu(ii) salts.

The ditopic receptor L3 [1-(2-((7-(4-(tert-butyl)benzyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecan-1-yl)methyl)phenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)urea] containing a macrocyclic cyclen unit for Cu(ii)-coordination and a urea moiety for anion binding was designed for recognition of metal salts. The X-ray structure of [CuL3(SO4)] shows that the sulfate anion is involved in cooperative binding via coordination to the metal ion and hydrogen-bonding to the urea unit. This behaviour is similar to that observed for the related receptor L1 [1-(2-((bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)methyl)phenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)urea], which forms a dimeric [CuL1(μ-SO4)]2 structure in the solid state. In contrast, the single crystal X-ray structure of [ZnL3(NO3)2] contains a 1 : 2 complex (metal : anion) where one anion coordinates to the metal and the other is hydrogen-bonded to the urea group. Spectrophotometric titrations performed for the [CuL3(OSMe2)]2+ complex indicate that this system is able to bind a wide range of anions with an affinity sequence: MeCO2- > Cl- > H2PO4- > Br- > NO2- > HSO4- > NO3-. Lipophilic analogues of L1 and L3 extract CuSO4 and CuCl2 from water into chloroform with high selectivity over the corresponding Co(ii), Ni(ii) and Zn(ii) salts.

Photophysical Characterization and Recognition Behaviour of a Bis(dansylated) Polyoxometalate

The bis(dansylated) polyoxometalate (nBu4N)4[γ‐SiW10O36{(Me2N)C10H6SO2NH(CH2)3Si}2O] has been investigated to establish the impact of the inorganic polyanionic domain on the photophysical behaviour of the appended dansyl chromophore. The interactions of this molecular hybrid with Lewis acids (lanthanide cations) and with an aromatic cationic molecule (N,N′‐2,7‐didecyldiazapyrenium) have also been monitored by multiple techniques, including spectrofluorimetry, Z‐potential, 1H NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy. The different spectral behaviour, coupled with the morphological evolution of the resulting nanostructures, highlights the capability of the hybrid polyoxometalate to interact, acting as a ditopic receptor, with different chemical substrates.

Unusual Recognition and Separation of Hydrated Metal Sulfates [M2(μ-SO4)2(H2O)n, M = ZnII, CdII, CoII, MnII] by a Ditopic Receptor

A ditopic receptor L1, having metal binding bis(2-picolyl) donor and anion binding urea group, is synthesized and explored toward metal sulfate recognition via formation of dinuclear assembly, (L1)2M2(SO4)2. Mass spectrometric analysis, (1)H-DOSY NMR, and crystal structure analysis reveal the existence of a dinuclear assembly of MSO4 with two units of L1. (1)H NMR study reveals significant downfield chemical shift of -NH protons of urea moiety of L1 selectively with metal sulfates (e.g., ZnSO4, CdSO4) due to second-sphere interactions of sulfate with the urea moiety. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR studies suggest the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction toward metal sulfate recognition in solution state, whereas intermolecular H-bonding interactions are observed in solid state. In contrast, anions in their tetrabutylammonium salts fail to interact with the urea -NH probably due to poor acidity of the tertiary butyl urea group of L1. Metal sulfate binding selectivity in solution is further supported by isothermal titration calorimetric studies of L1 with different Zn salts in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), where a binding affinity is observed for ZnSO4 (Ka = 1.23 × 10(6)), which is 30- to 50-fold higher than other Zn salts having other counteranions in DMSO. Sulfate salts of Cd(II)/Co(II) also exhibit binding constants in the order of ∼1 × 10(6) as in the case of ZnSO4. Positive role of the urea unit in the selectivity is confirmed by studying a model ligand L2, which is devoid of anion recognition urea unit. Structural characterization of four MSO4 [M = Zn(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Mn(II)] complexes of L1, that is, complex 1, [(L1)2(Zn)2(μ-SO4)2]; complex 2, [(L1)2(H2O)2(Cd)2(μ-SO4)2]; complex 3, [(L1)2(H2O)2(Co)2(μ-SO4)2]; and complex 4, [(L1)2(H2O)2(Mn)2(μ-SO4)2], reveal the formation of sulfate-bridged eight-membered crownlike binuclear complexes, similar to one of the concentration-dependent dimeric forms of MSO4 as observed in solid state. Finally, L1 is found to be highly efficient in removing ZnSO4 from both aqueous and semiaqueous medium as complex 1 in the presence of other competing Zn(II) salts via precipitation through crystallization. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis has also confirmed bulk purity of complex 1 obtained from the above competitive crystallization experiment.