Cation binding and conformation of octafunctionalized calix[4]resorcinarenes

The preparations of four calix[4]resorcinarene esters and two calix[4]resorcinarene amides are reported. The logarithms of association constants have been determined by the picrate extraction method for a variety of metal cations, including alkali metal, alkaline earth, lanthanum, and silver cations. Strong binding toward silver ion, and selectivity amongst the alkaline earth cations, was observed for the octa-α-(diethyl acetamide) 3c. Flattened cone conformations have been established for both C-undecylcalix[4]resorcinarene octa-α-(methyl acetate), 3a, and octa-α-(diethyl acetamide), 3c, in chloroform solutions at 200 K. Dynamic nuclear magnetic resonance was used to identify rapid conformational interconversions of both 3a and 3c corresponding to pseudorotation between flattened cone conformations. The silver complex of 3c also exhibits pseudorotation; however, the activation barrier was observed to increase from 42 kJ mol−1 in the free ligand to 49 kJ mol−1 in the complex. The NMR data indicate that the metal cation binding occurs in a symmetrical fashion using two pairs of binding sites that are disposed across the macrocyclic ring from one another. Considering these data it is concluded that four carbonyl functions are involved in the binding of a metal cation in a 1:1 complex with the ligand. Key words: resorcinarene, picrate, association constant, dynamic NMR, pseudorotation.