Ditopic Receptor Research Articles

Photoinduced Cation Translocation in a Calix[4]biscrown: Towards a New Type of Light‐Driven Molecular Shuttle

The photophysics of a ditopic receptor of potassium ion consisting of a 1,3-alternate calix[4]biscrown with a merocyanine dye (DCM) inserted into each crown is reported. Thanks to the large difference between the binding affinity for one and two potassium ions, one can find relative total concentrations of ligand and potassium ion at which the 1:1 complex is most predominant with respect to the free ligand and the 2:1 complex whose amounts are a few percents. Investigation of the 1:1 complex by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy provides evidence for the ultrafast movement of a potassium ion through the calix[4]arene tube upon excitation at 400 nm of the dye. Phototranslocation occurs in the picosecond timescale with a non-exponential kinetics without competition with photoejection towards the bulk. The translocation time includes two main short components: 0.83 ps and 10 ps. A smaller-weighted third component of 101 ps might include a competition between phototranslocation and excitation energy transfer as shown by using Förster's theory. These findings open the way to new strategies for light-driven molecular shuttles with the aim of information storage and binary logic computing at a nanometric scale.

Recognition of Achiral and Chiral Ammonium Salts by Neutral Ditopic Receptors Based on Chiral Salen-UO2 Macrocycles

A mononuclear (M20) and a dinuclear (M40) uranyl chiral macrocyclic complex, incorporating both a salen unit containing two phenyl rings linked to a chiral diimine bridge and the (R)-BINOL unit, behaves as an efficient ditopic receptor for achiral and chiral quaternary ammonium salts. Binding affinities in chloroform solution have been measured for 1:1 complexes of many quaternary salts encompassing tetramethylammonium (TMA), tetraethylammonium (TEA), tetrabutylammonium (TBA), and acetylcholine (ACh), as well as trimethylanilinium (TriMAn), benzyltrimethylammonium (BnTriMA), (alpha-methylbenzyl)trimethylammonium and pyrrolidinium cations. The anion of the salt is bound by the hard Lewis acidic uranyl site, with an increasing binding efficiency on increasing the anion hardness (I(-) < Br(-) < Cl(-)), whereas CH-pi or pi-pi attractions by binapthyl moiety, or the salicylaldehyde unit, or the phenyl rings of diimine bridge ensure the recognition of the cation partner. Optimized structures of receptor-anion-cation ternary complexes obtained by MM calculations are supported by 2D-ROESY NMR measurements.

Synthesis and heteronuclear inclusion properties of a novel thiacalix[4]arene-based hard-soft receptor with 1,3-alternate conformation

A novel thiacalix[4]arene ditopic receptor with 1,3-alternate conformation and possessing two complexation sites for hard and soft cations, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]-26,28-bis[(pyridylmethyl)oxy]-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene is prepared. Regioselective synthesis of distal-bis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl)methoxy]thiacalix[4]arene is accomplished by a protection-deprotection method using benzyl groups as a protecting group. The deprotection of benzyl group was succeeded in the presence of solid superacid (Nafion-H) under refluxing benzene. Its complexation behavior is examined by 1H-NMR titration experiments. The formation of 1:2 homo- and heteronuclear complexes demonstrates that the preorganization, subtle conformational changes and affinity have a pronounced effect on the complexation of the receptor.

Design, Synthesis, Photophysics, and Ion-binding Studies of a Ditopic Receptor Based on Gold(I) Phosphine Thiolate Complex Functionalized with Crown Ether and Urea Binding Units

A ditopic receptor based on gold(I) phosphine thiolate complex [(B15C5Ph(2)P)Au(SC(6)H(4)NHCONHC(6)H(5))] (1) together with a related crown-free analogue, [(Ph(3)P)Au(SC(6)H(4)NHCONHC(6)H(5))] (2), have been designed and synthesized and their photophysical properties studied. Complex 1 featured both a benzo-15-crown-5 cation-binding unit in the auxiliary phosphine ligand and a urea-functionalized thiolate as an anion receptor moiety. The anion- and cation-binding study, salt extraction ability, as well as the cooperativity have been studied using (1)H NMR and ESI-MS techniques.

Calixpyrrole chemistry: a study of a new ditopic receptor highlighting some fundamental concepts in assessing thermodynamic selectivity

Following the synthesis and characterization of meso-tetramethyl tetrakis (4-phenoxy acetone) calix[4]pyrrole, 1, the solution properties of this receptor in various solvents were investigated. Particular emphasis is placed on the selection of the solvent in assessing thermodynamic selectivity in ion complexation studies involving calixpyrrole receptors. Thus, statements recently made in the literature are addressed.The interaction of 1 with anions and cations was assessed through (1)H NMR in CD(3)CN at 298 K. Among anions, significant chemical shift changes were observed in the pyrrolic protons by the addition of halide salts to 1 in the deuterated solvent. The sequence observed in the Deltadelta values is that observed in the transfer Gibbs energies of these anions from a dipolar aprotic (acetonitrile) to a protic medium (representative of 1) based on the Ph(4)AsPh(4)B convention. As far as metal cations in CD(3)CN are concerned, the most significant changes are observed (relative to those of the ligand) in the protons of the phenoxy acetone functionality upon the addition of the mercury(ii) salt to 1. Conductance measurements reveal the formation of 1 : 1 complexes with these ions. Thermodynamic data derived from titration calorimetry are reported and compared with available data for analogous ligands. A quantitative evaluation of the thermodynamic stability was carried out. The applications of these ligands as anchor groups in oligomeric frameworks are discussed. Final conclusions are given.

A reversible Em-FRET rhodamine-based chemosensor for carboxylate anions using a ditopic receptor strategy

A reversible rhodamine-based sensor (L1) capable of undergoing excimer-fluorescent resonance energy transfer (Em-FRET) was designed and synthesized using a ditopic receptor strategy. Addition of Cu2+ ions to a solution of L1 induced a ring-open conformation of spirolactam (Em-FRET ON), whilst ring closure was induced upon addition of CH3COO− (Em-FRET OFF).

Melamine-Bridged Bis(porphyrin-ZnII) Receptors: Molecular Recognition Properties

Dimeric metalloporphyrin hosts with tweezer-like structures have been synthesized by reacting the cyanuric chloride scaffold, CC, with 5-(4-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin, P, and 5-(4-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-trimesitylporphyrin, M, to yield the homoconjugates free bases PP and MM and the heterodyad PM. Metalation with Zn(II), gives three structurally related ditopic receptors P(Zn)P(Zn), P(Zn)M(Zn), and M(Zn)M(Zn) with differential steric hindrance and conformational rigidity. The solution structure and supramolecular properties of these porphyrin dimers have been investigated as isolated molecules and in the presence of aliphatic alpha,omega-diamines of general formula H(2)N-(CH(2))(n)-NH(2) (n = 4-8) by spectroscopic and theoretical studies including multidimensional NMR, UV-vis, molecular modeling, and computational NMR methods. Binding constants in the range 4.2 x 10(6) to 3.4 x 10(7) M(-1) are observed in dichloromethane at 298 K, with a 3 orders of magnitude increase as compared to monodentate nBuNH(2), thus indicating the occurrence of a host-guest ditopic interaction. Linear correlation graphs are obtained by plotting the Soret band shift (Delta nu, cm(-1)) of the complex as a function of the diamine chain length. Combined NMR evidence and OPLS 2005 Force Field conformational analysis point to a mutual adaptation of both the binding partners in the host-guest complex, whose geometry is mainly dictated by the steric impact of the bulky substituents at the porphyrin periphery.

Luminescent Lanthanide Helicates Self-Assembled from Ditopic Ligands Bearing Phosphonic Acid or Phosphoester Units

A series of hexadentate ditopic receptors incorporating benzimidazole moieties have been designed, which are fitted with phosphonic acid or phosphoethylester coordinating units. In addition, poly(oxyethylene) pendants have been introduced on the benzimidazole backbone of two ligands to increase water solubility. The ligands self-assemble with lanthanide ions under stoichiometric conditions, yielding triple-stranded homobimetallic helicates, as ascertained by mass spectrometry and UV-visible titrations. The helicates display large thermodynamic stability, for example, log beta(23) approximately 21-24 for all the Eu(III) complexes. Photophysical measurements reveal sensitization of the metal-centered luminescence in the europium and terbium complexes, which is modulated by the nature of the ligand. Hydration numbers determined by the lifetime method are essentially zero. The Eu((5)D(0)) lifetimes are long and reach values up to 3.2 ms, while quantum yields as high as 25% are obtained in water at pH 7.4. Back transfer limits the sensitization efficiency for Tb(III) luminescence, and both lifetimes and quantum yields are much smaller. The properties of the helicates are discussed with respect to those self-assembled from ligands bearing carboxylate coordinating units.

Synthesis and multiparameter sensor properties of the crown‐containing thiophene derivatives

AbstractA novel ditopic receptor was constructed as a combination of bisthiophene with pyridinylvinyl and crown‐containing styryl fragments. In the receptor, the pyridine residue was able to coordinate Fe2+, Cd2+, and Mg2+ metal cations, whereas the oxocrown ether moiety bound with the alkaline earth metal (Mg2+, Ca2+, and Ba2+) cations. 1H NMR, optical, electrochemical, and ESI‐MS results provided conclusive evidence of a complex formation through both the coordination centers of the molecule. The obtained results showed that cation complexation induces optical and electrochemical changes, particularly for each binding center. This type of multiparameter sensor provides interesting perspectives for the future design of unique sensors, promising different analytical techniques. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Ion‐Pair Binding: Is Binding Both Binding Better?

It is often tempting to explain chemical phenomena on the basis of intuitive principles, but this practice can frequently lead to biased analysis of data and incorrect conclusions. One such intuitive principle is brought into play in the binding of salts by synthetic receptors. Following the heuristic concept that "binding both is binding better", it is widely believed that ditopic receptors capable of binding both ionic partners of a salt are more effective than monotopic receptors because of a cooperative effect. Using a newly designed ditopic receptor and a generalized binding descriptor, we show here that, when the problem is correctly formulated and the appropriate algorithm is derived, the cooperativity principle is neither general nor predictable, and that competition between ion binding and ion pairing may even lead to inhibition rather than enhancement of the binding of an ion to a ditopic receptor.

Regulation of metal ion recognition by allosteric effects in thiacalix[4]crown based receptors

Three new ditopic receptors 3a– c based on thiacalix[4]arene of 1,3 alternate conformation possessing two different complexation sites have been designed and synthesized for both soft and hard metal ions. The imino nitrogens bind soft metal ion (Ag +/Pb 2+/Cu 2+) and the crown moiety binds K + ion. The preliminary investigations show that 3a– c behave as ditopic receptors for Ag +/K +, Pb 2+/K +, and Cu 2+/K + ions, respectively. In all the three receptors it was observed that the formation of 3a·Ag +/ 3b·Pb 2+/ 3c·Cu 2+ complex triggers the decomplexation of K + ion from crown moiety and acts as a gateway, which regulates the binding of alkali metal to crown moiety. Thus, allosteric binding between metal ions ‘switch off’ the recognition ability of crown ether ring.

Specific Supramolecular Interactions between Zn2+-Salophen Complexes and Biologically Relevant Anions

Recognition of inorganic phosphates PO(4)(3-), P(2)O(7)(4-), and P(3)O(10)(5-) and nucleotides AMP(2-), ADP(3-), and ATP(4-) by Zn(2+)-salophen complexes 1 and 2 in ethanol was investigated by different spectroscopic techniques. (31)P NMR and mass spectrometry showed that anions of both series are bound by 1 and 2, while absorption and emission studies revealed that only nucleotides produce relevant changes in the spectral properties of the two hosts. (1)H NMR studies proved that the adenine aromatic group is involved in the complexation, thus pointing out the role of supramolecular ditopic receptors played by salophen derivatives toward this class of biologically relevant substrates. The lifetime of the photogenerated triplet state of the Zn(2+)-salophen compounds was measured by nanosecond laser flash photolysis, and the observed changes upon increasing the concentration of nucleotides allowed the identification of the formation of a 1:0.5 host/guest intermediate complex additionally to the formation of a 1:1 complex.

Anion Recognition by a Macrobicycle Based on a Tetraoxadiaza Macrocycle and an Isophthalamide Head Unit

A macrobicycle formed by a tetraoxadiaza macrocycle containing a dibenzofuran (DBF) spacer and an isophthalamide head unit, named DBF-bz, was used as receptor for anion recognition. The molecular structure of DBF-bz was established in solution by NMR and ESI-MS spectroscopies and in single crystal by X-ray diffraction analysis. The X-ray structure showed a water molecule encapsulated into the macrobicyclic cavity by four hydrogen bonds, two of them involving the two N-H amide binding sites and the oxygen of the water molecule (N-H...O hydrogen bonds) and the other two (O-H...N) involving the amine groups as hydrogen bonding acceptors. (1)H NMR temperature dependence studies demonstrated that the same structure exists in solution. The ability of this ditopic receptor to recognize alkali halide salts was evaluated by extraction studies followed by (1)H NMR and ESI-MS spectroscopies. The macrobicycle showed a capacity to extract halide salts from aqueous solutions into organic phases. The binding ability of this macrobicycle for halides was also quantitatively investigated using (1)H NMR titrations in CDCl(3) (and DMSO-d(6)) solution, and in acidic D(2)O solution. The largest binding association constant was found for the chloride anion and the completely protonated receptor. The results suggest that the diammonium-diamide unit of the receptor strongly bind the anionic substrate via multiple N-H...Cl(-) hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. The binding trend follows the order Cl(-) > Br(-) > I(-) approximately F(-) established from the best fit between the size of the anion and the cavity size of the protonated macrobicycle. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the DBF-bz in CHCl(3) solution allowed a detailed insight into the structural and binding properties of the receptor.

A Ditopic Ion‐Pair Receptor Based on Stacked Nucleobase Quartets

Pass the salt, please! State-of-the-art computations indicate that the stacking complex of a guanine quartet and an adenine quartet (G(4)A(4)) can function as a potent ditopic receptor for NaCl in aqueous solution (see picture; Na(+), Cl(-) yellow, O red, N blue, C black, H white).

Synthesis, Binding and Fluorescence Studies of Bis-2-amidopyrrole Receptors for Bis-carboxylate Anions

The ditopic neutral receptors 1 and 2 were synthesized for the recognition and sensing of bis-carboxylates. They are based on pyrrole and amide groups as hydrogen-bond donors to bind the oxoanions of the guests. Among the obtained results, the selectivity for glutarate over succinate is particularly interesting. Compound 1 behaves as a PET fluorescence sensor for glutarate.

Synthesis and structure of mono-bridged resorcinarene host: a ditopic receptor for ammonium guests

The synthesis and structural properties of tetramethoxy resorcinarene mono-crown-5 (1) are described. The binding characteristics of 1 toward acetylcholine and tetramethylammonium salts were investigated by 1H NMR titration. It was observed that the cavity of 1 provides a better fit to acetylcholine compared to the smaller tetramethylammonium cation, as acetylcholine is able to interact with both the crown ether moiety and the free hydroxyl groups of receptor 1 simultaneously.

Apparent non-statistical binding in a ditopic receptor for guanosine

Analysis of stepwise association constants for guests binding to more than one site in a receptor is expected to give a ratio of the first association constant to the second of about 4 : 1 on statistical grounds (since a second guest should have an equal chance of binding to a different site on the same, or a new molecule). Taking account of self-association in our analysis of a system in which the binding sites are close together, we observe a ratio closer to 1 : 1, indicative of non-statistical, or cooperative binding. The longer homologue built around two alkynes displays a very different ratio of stepwise association constants of about 7 : 1. We discuss the origins of this unusual behaviour in terms of steric interactions within the receptors and their corresponding complexes with guanosine derivatives.

Hydrogen bonding receptors of tetraamide derivatives derived from thiacalix[4]arene in cone- and 1,3-alternate conformation

Novel ditopic receptors of tetraamide derivatives possessing four 2-pyridyl groups derived from thiacalix[4]arene in cone- and 1,3-alternate conformation were prepared. The structure of one of the tetraamide derivatives was confirmed by a single crystal X-ray analysis. The tetrathiacalix[4]arene tetraamides show strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The binding behaviour towards Ag+ and halides has been investigated by 1H NMR titration experiments.

ダイトピックレセプターとしての特性を有するヘキサホモトリオキサカリックス[3]アレーントリアセティックアシッド誘導体の合成

ダイトピックレセプターとしての特性を有するヘキサホモトリオキサカリックス[3]アレーントリアセティックアシッド誘導体の合成

Synthetic Receptors for the Differentiation of Phosphorylated Peptides with Nanomolar Affinities

Artificial ditopic receptors for the differentiation of phosphorylated peptides varying in i+3 amino acid side chains were synthesized, and their binding affinities and selectivities were determined. The synthetic receptors show the highest binding affinities to phosphorylated peptides under physiological conditions (HEPES, pH 7.5, 154 mM NaCl) reported thus far for artificial systems. The tight and selective binding was achieved by high cooperativity of the two binding moieties in the receptor molecules. All receptors interact with phosphorylated serine by bis(ZnII-cyclen) complex coordination and a second binding site recognizing a carboxylate or imidazole amino acid side chain functionality.