Calix[4]arene-based ditopic receptors for simultaneous recognition of fluoride and cobalt(II) ions

Allosteric binding properties of a 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene-based receptor having phenylthiourea and 2-pyridylmethyl moieties on opposite faces

Thiacalix[4]arene receptors with two thiourea moieties and two 2-pyridyl moieties exhibited a heteroditopic dinuclear receptor with F− and Ag+ ions by a positive allosteric effect.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Biological Activity of a Multidentate Calix[4]arene Ligand Doubly Functionalized by 2-Hydroxybenzeledene-Thiosemicarbazone

The design and synthesis of a novel tert-butyl-calix[4]arene functionalized at 1, 3 positions of the lower rim with two terminal 2-hydroxybenzeledene-thiosemicarbazone moieties is reported. The new ligand with multi-dentate chelating properties was fully characterized by several techniques: ESI-Mass spectroscopy, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The solid state structure confirms that the calix[4]arene macrocycle has the expected open cone conformation, with two opposite phenyl rings inclined outwards with large angles. The conformation of the two alkoxythiosemicarbazone arms produces a molecule with a C2 point group symmetry. An interesting chiral helicity is observed, with the two thiosemicarbazone groups oriented in opposite directions like a two-blade propeller. A water molecule is encapsulated in the center of the two-blade propeller through multiple H-bond coordinations. The antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and cytotoxic activities of the calix[4]arene-thiosemicarbazone ligand and its metal derivatives (Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) were investigated. A considerable antibacterial activity (in particular against E. coli, MIC, and MBC = 31.25 μg/mL) was observed for the ligand and its metal derivatives. Significant antifungal activities against yeast (C. albicans) were also observed for the ligand (MIC = 31.25 μg/mL and MBC = 125 μg/mL) and for its Co²⁺ derivative (MIC = 62.5 μg/mL). All compounds show cytotoxicity against the tested cancerous cells. For the Saos-2 cell line, the promising anticancer activity of ligand L (IC₅₀ < 25 μg/mL) is higher than its metal derivatives. The microscopic analysis of DAPI-stained cells shows that the treated cells change in morphology, with deformation and fragmentation of the nuclei. The hemo-compatibility study demonstrated that this class of compounds are suitable candidates for further in vivo investigations.

Macrocycles as Ion Pair Receptors

Cation and anion recognition have both played central roles in the development of supramolecular chemistry. Much of the associated research has focused on the development of receptors for individual cations or anions, as well as their applications in different areas. Rarely is complexation of the counterions considered. In contrast, ion pair recognition chemistry, emerging from cation and anion coordination chemistry, is a specific research field where co-complexation of both anions and cations, so-called ion pairs, is the center of focus. Systems used for the purpose, known as ion pair receptors, are typically di- or polytopic hosts that contain recognition sites for both cations and anions and which permit the concurrent binding of multiple ions. The field of ion pair recognition has blossomed during the past decades. Several smaller reviews on the topic were published roughly 5 years ago. They provided a summary of synthetic progress and detailed the various limiting ion recognition modes displayed by both acyclic and macrocyclic ion pair receptors known at the time. The present review is designed to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the chemistry of macrocycle-based ion pair receptors. We specifically focus on the relationship between structure and ion pair recognition, as well as applications of ion pair receptors in sensor development, cation and anion extraction, ion transport, and logic gate construction.

Recent progress in development of 2,3-diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) based chemosensors for sensing of ionic and reactive oxygen species

2,3-Diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) has proved to be a valuable organic π-conjugated molecule having many applications in the area of chemosensors for sensing of ionic and neutral species because of its ability to act as a building block for well-defined molecular architectures and scaffolds for preorganised arrays of functionality. In this article, we discussed the utilization of 2,3-diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) for the design and development of chemosensor molecules and their application in the area of metal ion, anion and reactive oxygen species sensing. Along with these, we present different examples of DAMN based chemosensors for multiple ion sensing. We also discuss the ion sensing mechanism and potential uses in other related areas of research.

2,3-Diamniomaleonitrile (DAMN) is valuable π-conjugated organic scaffold molecule for designing of efficient chemosensors for sensing of ionic and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).

β-Carboline–imidazopyridine hybrids: selective and sensitive optical sensors for copper and fluoride ions

Two rationally designed β-carboline–imidazopyridine hybrid chromofluorescent sensors S1 and S2 have been successfully synthesized and evaluated for the selective sensing of metal ions and anions.

A study of anion binding behaviour of 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene-based receptors bearing urea moieties

Thiacalix[4]arene receptors with two urea moieties exhibited a high affinity towards all of the selected anions.

Tetrathiafulvalene-based azine ligands for anion and metal cation coordination

The synthesis and full characterization of two tetrathiafulvalene-appended azine ligands, namely 2-([2,2’-bi(1,3-dithiolylidene)]-4-yl)-6-((2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazono)methyl)pyridine (L1) and 5-([2,2’-bi(1,3-dithiolylidene)]-4-yl)-2-((2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazono)methyl)pyridine (L2) are described. The crystal structure of ligand L1 indicates that the ligand is completely planar with the presence of a strong intramolecular N3–H3···O1 hydrogen bonding. Titration experiments with inorganic anions showed that both ligands are suitable candidates for the sensing of fluoride anions. Ligand L2 was reacted with a Re(I) cation to yield the corresponding rhenium tricarbonyl complex 3. In the crystal structure of the newly prepared electroactive rhenium complex the TTF is neutral and the rhenium cation is hexacoordinated. The electrochemical behavior of the three compounds indicates that they are promising for the construction of crystalline radical cation salts.

Binding Studies of Cucurbit[7]uril with Gold Nanoparticles Bearing Different Surface Functionalities

Host-guest interactions between a synthetic receptor, cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been quantified using isothermal titration calorimetry. AuNPs were functionalized with ligands containing tertiary or quaternary benzylamine derivatives, with electron donating or withdrawing groups at the para position of the benzene ring. Analysis of binding interactions reveals that functional groups at the para position have no significant effect on binding constant. However, headgroups bearing a permanent positive charge increased the binding of AuNPs to CB[7] ten-fold compared to monomethyl counterparts.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Bidentate Chiral Unsymmetrical Urea Derivatives of P-tert-butylcalix[4]Arene and their Anion Recognition Properties

Four new derivatives of p-t-butylcalix[4]arene containing two (1,3-distal) chiral unsymmetrical urea moieties at the lower rim were synthesised in four steps. Their anion recognition properties toward MeCO2−, H2PO4−, NO3−, I−, Br−, Cl− were assessed by UV-Vis titration spectroscopy. All the receptors showed the strongest recognition ability for MeCO2−, one of them having an association constant of 3139 M-1. 1H NMR studies of this receptor complex confirmed its tight binding of MeCO2−.

Positive and negative allosteric effects of thiacalix[4]arene-based receptors having urea and crown-ether moieties

Allosteric binding behaviors of heteroditopic receptors bearing the 1,3-alternate conformation based thiacalix[4]arene have been evaluated by absorption and ¹H NMR titration experiments.

A highly selective colorimetric chemosensor for cobalt(ii) ions based on a tripodal amide ligand

A highly selective colorimetric chemosensor for cobalt(ii) ions was synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The ligand enabled the detection of cobalt(ii) ions at a concentration of 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ by the “naked-eye”.

Vitamin B6 cofactor based fluorescent probe for sensing an anion (F−) and cation (Co2+) independently in a pure aqueous medium

A new highly selective and sensitive bifunctional fluorescent probe for Co²⁺ and F⁻ ions has been derived from a vitamin B₆ cofactor and the response mechanism has been analyzed using DFT calculations.

Lithium-selective phosphine oxide-based ditopic receptors show enhanced halide binding upon alkali metal ion coordination

Previous work on a ditopic receptor based on a tripodal phosphine oxide core demonstrated preferential enhancement of bromide binding over chloride or iodide in the presence of lithium cation. Current studies on an elongated receptor provide evidence that preferential bromide binding enhancement in the presence of lithium cation is common to this receptor class in general, and that lengthening of the receptor results in an overall increase in halide association. Furthermore, the extended receptor shows a strong preference for Li+ binding in solution.