Chiral anion recognition using calix[4]arene-based ureido receptors in a 1,3-alternate conformation

Thermodynamics of Anion Binding by (Thio)ureido-calix[4]arene Derivatives in Acetonitrile

In this work, we developed (thio)ureido-calix[4]arene derivatives and thoroughly explored their anion-binding properties in acetonitrile. A series of anions, including important inorganic ones (Cl-, HSO4 -, H2PO4 -, and HP2O7 3-) and several ever-present carboxylates (acetate, benzoate, and fumarate), were studied. All systems were investigated by several methods (NMR, ITC, and UV) used in a synergistic fashion, providing their comprehensive thermodynamic description. Acidities of the receptors were determined prior to the anion-binding studies and considered in the data-handling procedures. Complexes of various stoichiometries were detected and the driving force for their formation elucidated. The correlation of the anion structural features and H-bond acceptor properties with the stoichiometries and complexation thermodynamics parameters was rationalized. Generally, stability of the complexes followed the trend defined by the basicity of anions. Thiourea and urea analogues exhibited similar affinities for anion binding except for the H2PO4 - and HP2O7 3-, which interacted with the thiourea analogue more strongly. The hosts endowed with 4 (thio)urea groups formed species containing two receptor molecules bridged by a fumarate or hydrogen pyrophosphate anion. Thermodynamic information provided in this work is applicable in further design of supramolecular systems, whereas the presented approach to data handling will aid researchers when dealing with multiple coexisting equilibria.

Anion recognition using meta-substituted ureidocalix[4]arene receptors

Calix[4]arenes bearing urea units at the meta position(s) of the upper rim of the macrocyclic skeleton were prepared by the reaction of the corresponding amines with aryl isocyanates. As shown by the 1H NMR and UV/vis titration experiments, these systems are capable of effectively complexing selected anions even in a highly competitive environment (such as DMSO-d6). While the monoureido derivatives showed approximately the same complexation ability irrespective of the substitution (para vs. meta isomers), the bisureas at the upper rim demonstrated interesting differences in complexation. The meta,meta and para,para isomers were shown to prefer 2 : 1 complexes (anion : receptor) regardless of the anion tested, while the analogous meta,para isomer formed 1 : 1 complexes with strongly coordinated anions (e.g. H2PO4-) based on synchronous complexation by both ureido groups. This suggests that the regioselective introduction of urea units into the upper rim of calix[4]arene brings with it the possibility of "tuning" the complexation properties depending on the substitution pattern of the functional groups.

Recognition in the Domain of Molecular Chirality: From Noncovalent Interactions to Separation of Enantiomers

It is not a coincidence that both chirality and noncovalent interactions are ubiquitous in nature and synthetic molecular systems. Noncovalent interactivity between chiral molecules underlies enantioselective recognition as a fundamental phenomenon regulating life and human activities. Thus, noncovalent interactions represent the narrative thread of a fascinating story which goes across several disciplines of medical, chemical, physical, biological, and other natural sciences. This review has been conceived with the awareness that a modern attitude toward molecular chirality and its consequences needs to be founded on multidisciplinary approaches to disclose the molecular basis of essential enantioselective phenomena in the domain of chemical, physical, and life sciences. With the primary aim of discussing this topic in an integrated way, a comprehensive pool of rational and systematic multidisciplinary information is provided, which concerns the fundamentals of chirality, a description of noncovalent interactions, and their implications in enantioselective processes occurring in different contexts. A specific focus is devoted to enantioselection in chromatography and electromigration techniques because of their unique feature as "multistep" processes. A second motivation for writing this review is to make a clear statement about the state of the art, the tools we have at our disposal, and what is still missing to fully understand the mechanisms underlying enantioselective recognition.

Preorganized Homochiral Pyrrole-Based Receptors That Display Enantioselective Anion Binding

Herein, a new scaffold for anion recognition based on a tripodal tris(pyrrolamide) motif is presented. The receptors were able to bind to a variety of anions with high affinity. Using density functional theory methods, the three-dimensional geometry of the receptor-anion complex was calculated. These calculations show that the receptors bind anions via a preorganized cavity of amide and pyrrole hydrogen bond donor groups. Based on these findings, homochiral tris(pyrrolamide) receptors were prepared, which produced as much as a 1.6-fold greater affinity for (S)-(+)-mandelate over (R)-(-)-mandelate, demonstrating the ability to differentiate between these enantiomeric anions. The interaction of (S)-(+)-mandelate and (R)-(-)-mandelate within the homochiral receptor was examined by solution NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. These findings indicate that the preorganized positioning of the pyrrole groups and subsequent sterics allows to differentiate between the stereoisomeric anions.