Lariat Ethers Research Articles

Synthesis and Characterization of Some Novel 18‐Membered‐Ring Tri‐Aza Macrocyclic Diamides Containing Appended Coumarin and their Derived Podands

AbstractIn this research, some new eighteen‐membered‐ring nitrogen‐pivot lariat ethers were synthesized from a tri‐aza macrocyclic diamide containing dibenzosulfide and a coumarin fragment as the sidearm. The aza‐macrocyclic compound used in the synthesis of lariat ethers was obtained from the reaction of dibenzosulfide diester and diethylenetriamine. The corresponding 3‐amidocoumarins were synthesized from the reaction of 3‐aminocoumarins and chloroacetyl chloride in good yields. Moreover, symmetrical bis coumarin podands were prepared by reacting a sulfide or sulfoxide monomer with 3‐amidocoumarin. The structures of the products were identified by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopies.

Antimicrobial and Adjuvant Potencies of Di-n-alkyl Substituted Diazalariat Ethers.

Lariat ethers are macrocyclic polyethers-crown ethers-to which sidearms are appended. 4,13-Diaza-18-crown-6 having twin alkyl chains at the nitrogens show biological activity. They exhibit antibiotic activity, but when co-administered at with an FDA-approved antibiotic, the latter's potency is often strongly enhanced. Potency enhancements and resistance reversals have been documented in vitro for a range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria with a variety of antimicrobials. Strains of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus having resistance to a range of drugs have been studied and the potency enhancements (checkerboards) are reported here. Drugs included in the present study are ampicillin, cefepime, chlortetracycline, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, kanamycin, minocycline, norfloxacin, oxycycline, penicillin G, and tetracycline. Enhancements of norfloxacin potency against S. aureus 1199B of up to 128-fold were observed. The properties of these lariat ethers have been studied to determine solubility, their membrane penetration, cytotoxicity and mammalian cell survival, and their effect on bacterial efflux pumps. It is shown that in some cases, the lariat ethers have complex antimicrobials with considerable selectivity. Based on these observations, including 1:1 complexation between lariat ethers and antimicrobials and the cytotoxicity of the MeI salts showing a separation index of 32-fold, they hold significant potential for further development.

D-Idose-Based Monoaza-15-Crown-5 Lariat Ethers: Synthesis of an Elusive d-Hexose and Application of Derived Macrocycles in Enantioselective Syntheses

Carbohydrate-based macrocycles can be enantioselective catalysts in certain reactions. Previously, it was proven that the carbohydrate moiety could affect the catalytic activity of the monoaza-15-crown-5 type macrocycles derived from sugars. According to our experiments so far, the most effective enantioselective catalysts were the d-glucose- and the d-galactose-based crown ethers. To obtain more information about the effect of the carbohydrate unit, a rare monosaccharide, d-idose was incorporated into the monoaza-15-crown-5 structure. The key intermediates were methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-idopyranoside and methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-β-d-idopyranoside, which were synthesized from d-galactose. The efficiency of the idopyranoside-based crown compounds synthesized was investigated in asymmetric phase transfer reactions. In liquid-liquid biphasic reactions the highest enantioselectivity was 81% ee, while in solid-liquid phase systems the highest asymmetric induction was 67% ee. It was observed that the enantiodiscrimination was strongly dependent on the configuration of the anomeric center, on the side arm of the nitrogen, and on the structure of the substrate.

Anthraquinone-1,8-Derived (Pseudo-) Crown and Lariat Ethers:Design and Applications as Fluorescent and Chromogenic Ion (Pair) Sensors.

Cyclic polyamine/ethers embedded with anthraquinone moieties and functional pendants, are structural analogues of crown ethers and (oxo-) cyclams, and could be utilized as sensitive and selective chemosensors towards metal cations. Those pseudo- (similar but geometrically distinct) crown and lariat ethers show various cation-binding patterns and stoichiometry, being modulated by donor type, cavity size and pendants' chelating ability. The luminescent and chromogenic properties also differ a lot along with the derivation of the parental macrocycle. Methodological designing including synthesis and post-functionalization through nucleophilic substitution, Mannich condensation etc., as well as the sensing performance of those pseudo-crown and lariat ethers are summarized in this review, basing on the spectroscopic, voltammetric and X-ray crystallographic determinations. Anion effect in sensing cations is evaluated according to the ion-pair recognition theory. Those results shed some light on exemplifying the anions' role in bioinorganic systems including metalloenzymes.

Enantioselective Cyclopropanation of 2‐Cyano‐3‐arylacrylates Using Carbohydrate‐Based Crown Ethers

AbstractEnantioenriched, highly functionalized cyclopropane derivatives were prepared by a simple and green approach using monosaccharide‐based chiral crown ethers as phase transfer catalysts. The Michael‐initiated ring closure (MIRC) reactions of diethyl bromomalonate with 2‐cyano‐3‐phenylacrylate took place with complete diastereoselectivity in the presence of chiral lariat ethers derived from carbohydrates and enantioselectivity up to 87 % ee was achieved. Among the catalysts tested, the monoaza‐15‐crown‐5 lariat ether having a methyl β‐d‐glucopyranoside unit and a 2‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl group on the nitrogen generated the highest asymmetric induction (87 % ee). In the reactions of analogous 2‐cyano‐3‐arylacrylates, enantioselectivity was in the range of 8–91 % ee.

Assessment of a host-guest interaction in a bilayer membrane model.

Supramolecular interactions are well recognized and many of them have been extensively studied in chemistry. The formation of supramolecular complexes that rely on weak force interactions are less well studied in bilayer membranes. Herein, a supported bilayer membrane is used to probe the penetration of a complex between tetracycline and a macrocyclic polyether. In a number of bacterial systems, the presence of the macrocycle has been found to significantly enhance the potency of the antimicrobial in vitro. The crown·tetracycline complex has been characterized in solution, neutron reflectometry has probed complex penetration, and the phenomena have been modeled by computational methods.

Carbohydrate-Based Azacrown Ethers in Asymmetric Syntheses

Carbohydrate-based crown ethers represent a special group of chiral phase transfer catalysts. Several derivatives of these macrocycles have been synthesized in our research group. Among these compounds, monoaza-15-crown-5 lariat ethers proved to be effective phase transfer and enantioselective catalysts in certain reactions. Those chiral azacrown ethers incorporating various carbohydrate moieties in the macrocyclic structure are reviewed, which generated asymmetric induction in reactions, such as Michael addition, epoxidation of enones, Darzens condensation and Michael-initiated ring-closure (MIRC) reaction. Effects on the catalytic activity of the structural changes are the focus.

Highly K+ Selective Probes with Fluorescence Emission Wavelengths Higher than 500 nm in Water

AbstractHerein, we report on the synthesis of highly K+/Na+ selective fluorescent probes in a feasible number of synthetic steps. These K+ selective fluorescent probes, so called fluoroionophores, 1 and 2 consists of different highly K+/Na+ selective building blocks the alkoxy‐substituted N‐phenylaza‐18‐crown‐6 lariat ethers (ionophores) and “green” (cf. coumarin unit in 1) or “red” (cf. nile red unit in 2) fluorescent moieties (fluorophores). The fluorescent probes 1 and 2 show K+ induced fluorescence enhancement factors of 4.1 for 1 and 1.9 for 2 and dissociation constants for the corresponding K+ complexes of 43 mM (1+K+) and 18 mM (2+K+) in buffered aqueous solution. The fluorescence signal of 1 and 2 is changed by less than 5 % by pH values in the range of 6.8 to 8.8. Thus, 1 and 2 are capable fluorescent tools to determine extracellular K+ levels by fluorescence enhancements at wavelengths higher than 500 nm.

Enantioselective cyclopropanation of conjugated cyanosulfones using carbohydrate-based crown ether catalysts

A few new d-galactose- and d-glucose-based monoaza-15-crown-5 type lariat ethers have been synthesized. These macrocycles and their derivatives proved to be efficient catalysts in the cyclopropanation of (E)-3-phenyl-2-(phenylsulfonyl)acrylonitrile performed with diethyl bromomalonate under mild phase transfer conditions. Among the catalysts tested, the macrocycle having methyl α-d-galactopyranoside unit generated the highest asymmetric induction (80% ee). In the reactions of the aryl-substituted phenylsulfonyl-acrylonitrile derivatives, the cyclopropanation of the meta- and para-substituted starting materials took place with high ee values (75–84% ee). The cyclopropane derivatives synthesized from analogous α,β-unsaturated cyanosulfones containing naphthyl, pyridyl, furyl and thienyl groups were obtained with enantioselectivities up to 85%, and in excellent yields.

Re-evaluation of the mechanism of cytotoxicity of dialkylated lariat ether compounds.

The cytotoxicity of dialkylated lariat ethers has been previously attributed to their ionophoric properties. Herein, we provide evidence that these effects are due to loss of membrane integrity rather than ion transport, a finding with important implications for the future design of synthetic ionophores.

Mass Spectrometry Reveals Complexing Properties of Modified PNP-Lariat Ether Containing Benzyl Derivative of (S)-Prolinamine.

In the investigation presented here the synthesis of new lariat ether derivative obtained from the modification of tetrapyrrolidinyl-PNP-crown ether macrocycle is described. The polyheterotopic molecular coreceptor consisted of the replacement of chlorine atoms with an optically active (S)-(1-benzylpyrrolidin-2-yl) methanamine. The structure was confirmed by using elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy. This work covers results concerning the complexing properties of the new ligand towards Ag+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ ions. The formation of non-covalent complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry with the Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ ions have been confirmed by mass spectrometry. Due to the previous work and application possibilities, a large emphasis was put on the investigation of the complexation ability of lariat ether with silver (I) cation to determine stability constants by direct potentiometric method. In this case, the formation of four different forms of complexes AgL, Ag2L, Ag3L, and Ag4L has been proved. The observed unusual binding through the nitrogen atoms from the exocyclic substituents may provide the structural unit to build a new coordination polymers.

The Synthesis of Hydrobenzoin-Based Monoaza Crown Ethers and Their Application as Recyclable Enantioselective Catalysts

New recyclable monoaza-15-crown ethers have been synthesized starting from (R,R)-(+)- and (S,S)-(−)-hydrobenzoin. These macrocycles proved to be efficient and reusable phase transfer catalysts in a few asymmetric reactions under mild conditions. The asymmetric epoxidation of trans-chalcone took place with up to 81% ee, while using other chalcone derivatives, the products were formed with 68–88% ee. The hydrobenzoin-based lariat ethers were also tested in the cyclopropanation of a few electron deficient olefins using diethyl bromomalonate to afford the product with good enantioselectivities (54–75% ee). The catalysts were recovered by salt formation, followed by extraction, and were reused without the loss of the activity and effect on the enantioselectivity.Graphic The synthesis of hydrobenzoin-based monaza crown ethers and their application as recyclable enantioselective catalysts.

Synthesis of chiral crown ethers derived from d-galactose and their application in enantioselective reactions

A few new α- and β-d-galactopyranoside-based chiral lariat ethers of monoaza-15-crown-5 type were synthesized. These macrocycles proved to be efficient catalysts in a few asymmetric reactions under mild phase transfer conditions. The catalytic effect of the lariat ethers with methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy and aryloxy substituents on the C-1 of the sugar unit in both α and β positions was compared. In the presence of β-d-galactopyranoside-based crown ethers, the asymmetric Darzens condensation of α-chloroacetophenone and benzaldehyde, the epoxidation of trans-chalcone, the cyclopropanation (MIRC reaction) of benzylidenemalononitrile and 2-benzylidene-1,3-indandione with diethyl bromomalonate were performed with enantioselectivities of 61%, 64%, 86% and 96%, respectively. In all reactions, the β-anomers were more efficient in terms of enantioselectivity than the α forms.

Cover Feature: A Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for K+ in Water Based on a Phenylaza‐18‐Crown‐6 Lariat Ether (Chem. Eur. J. 40/2018)

Cover Feature: A Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for K⁺ in Water Based on a Phenylaza‐18‐Crown‐6 Lariat Ether (Chem. Eur. J. 40/2018)

A Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for K+ in Water Based on a Phenylaza-18-Crown-6 Lariat Ether.

This work presents two molecular fluorescent probes 1 and 2 for the selective determination of physiologically relevant K+ levels in water based on a highly K+ /Na+ selective building block, the o-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenylaza-18-crown-6 lariat ether unit. Fluorescent probe 1 showed a high K+ -induced fluorescence enhancement (FE) by a factor of 7.7 of the anthracenic emission and a dissociation constant (Kd ) value of 38 mm in water. Further, for 2+K+ , we observed a dual emission behavior at 405 and 505 nm. K+ increases the fluorescence intensity of 2 at 405 nm by a factor of approximately 4.6 and K+ decreases the fluorescence intensity at 505 nm by a factor of about 4.8. Fluorescent probe 2+K+ exhibited a Kd value of approximately 8 mm in Na+ -free solutions and in combined K+ /Na+ solution a similar Kd value of about 9 mm was found, reflecting the high K+ /Na+ selectivity of 2 in water. Therefore, 2 is a promising fluorescent tool to measure ratiometrically and selectively physiologically relevant K+ levels.

Asymmetric cyclopropanation reactions catalyzed by carbohydrate-based crown ethers

Optically active cyclopropane derivatives were prepared by a novel, simple and green approach in high enantioselectivities using monosaccharide-based chiral crown ethers as phase transfer catalysts. The crown ethers having d-glucopyranoside, d-mannopyranoside and d-altropyranoside units proved to be efficient catalyst in a few asymmetric phase transfer cyclopropanation reactions. The Michael-initiated ring closure (MIRC) reactions of diethyl bromomalonate with chalcones took place with complete diastereoselectivity and up to 99% ee. Using benzylidenemalononitrile, 2-arylidenemalononitriles, 2-benzylidene-1,3-indandione, substituted 2-benzylidene-1,3-indandiones, 2-arylidene-1,3-indandiones and 2-benzylidene-1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanediones enantioselectivities up to 92%, 99%, 54% 93%, 89% and 72%, respectively, were achieved, in the presence of chiral lariat ethers derived from different monosaccharides. The absolute configuration of a cyclopropane diester product was determined by a combined CD spectroscopic and theoretical study.

Synthesis of d-mannitol-based crown ethers and their application as catalyst in asymmetric phase transfer reactions.

A few new d-mannitol-based monoaza-15-crown-5 type chiral lariat ethers and 18-crown-6 type macrocycles were synthesized. These crown compounds were used as phase transfer catalysts in asymmetric Michael addititons and in a Darzens condensation under mild conditions to afford the corresponding products in a few cases in good to excellent enantioselectivities. In the Michael addition of diethyl acetoxymalonate to trans-chalcone, in the addition of diethyl acetamidomalonate to ß-nitrostyrene, in the reaction of diethyl bromomalonate with benzylidene malononitriles, in the cyclopropanation reaction of diethyl bromomalonate and 2-benzylidene-1,3-indandione, and in the Darzens condensation of α-chloroacetophenone with benzaldehyde, maximum enantioselectivities of 39%, 65%, 99%, 56%, and 62%, respectively, were obtained in the presence of the d-mannitol-based macrocycles as the catalysts.

Synthesis of alkyl α- and β-d-glucopyranoside-based chiral crown ethers and their application as enantioselective phase-transfer catalysts

Chiral monoaza-15-crown-5-type lariat ethers annelated to alkyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-α- and β-d-glucopyranosides have been synthesized. These macrocycles generated significant asymmetric induction as phase-transfer catalysts in a few two-phase reactions. The catalytic effect of the lariat ethers with methoxy, ethoxy, and i-propoxy substituents on C-1 of the sugar unit in both α and β positions was compared. In liquid–liquid two-phase reactions, the nature and position of the substituents did not have much effect. The α-anomers were somewhat more efficient in terms of enantioselectivity than the β forms. In asymmetric Darzens condensations, in the epoxidation of trans-chalcone, in the Michael addition of β-nitrostyrene and diethyl acetamidomalonate, and in the reaction of 2-benzylidene-1,3-indandione with diethyl bromomalonate, maximum enantioselectivities of 73, 94, 78, and 72%, respectively, were obtained in presence of glucopyranoside-based lariat ethers as catalysts.

Supramolecular cation transporters alter root morphology in the Arabidopsis thaliana plant

Bibracchial (two-armed) 4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 lariat ether and tris(macrocycle) hydraphile synthetic amphiphiles alter root morphology in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. The effect on root structure and growth depends both on the hydraphile spacer chain length and lariat ether side chain length as well as the concentration of compound in the growth medium. In some cases a correlation to ion transport activity was apparent, but such a correlation is not always manifested. Surprisingly, planar bilayer conductance (BLM) studies showed that lariat ethers and lariat ether amides both exhibited well controlled membrane activity. Pore formation in soybean asolectin membranes occurred readily and the pores were stable and sustained. Low concentrations of active hydraphiles and lariat ethers altered the primary:lateral root density ratio, generally increasing it. The transporter-mediated alterations in lateral root density were suggestive of the activity of plant auxins such as indole-3-acetic acid and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, which are known to depend on cytosolic potassium ion concentrations. The hypothesis that the compounds interfere with the auxin pathway was tested and discounted by using auxin-resistant A. thaliana mutants. Rather than functioning directly as auxin mimics, ionophores affect the ion gradients producing an auxin-like effect on root development.

Synthesis of l-threitol-based crown ethers and their application as enantioselective phase transfer catalyst in Michael additions.

A few new l-threitol-based lariat ethers incorporating a monoaza-15-crown-5 unit were synthesized starting from diethyl l-tartrate. These macrocycles were used as phase transfer catalysts in asymmetric Michael addition reactions under mild conditions to afford the adducts in a few cases in good to excellent enantioselectivities. The addition of 2-nitropropane to trans-chalcone, and the reaction of diethyl acetamidomalonate with β-nitrostyrene resulted in the chiral Michael adducts in good enantioselectivities (90% and 95%, respectively). The substituents of chalcone had a significant impact on the yield and enantioselectivity in the reaction of diethyl acetoxymalonate. The highest enantiomeric excess (ee) values (99% ee) were measured in the case of 4-chloro- and 4-methoxychalcone. The phase transfer catalyzed cyclopropanation reaction of chalcone and benzylidene-malononitriles using diethyl bromomalonate as the nucleophile (MIRC reaction) was also developed. The corresponding chiral cyclopropane diesters were obtained in moderate to good (up to 99%) enantioselectivities in the presence of the threitol-based crown ethers.