Jiang-Lin Zhao

Click-modified hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arenes as fluorometric and colorimetric dual-modal chemosensors for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.

A new type of chemosensor-based approach to the detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) is described in this paper. Two hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene-based chemosensors 1 and 2 were synthesized through click chemistry, which exhibited high binding affinity and selectivity toward TNP as evidenced by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy studies. (1)H NMR titration analysis verified that CH⋯O hydrogen bonding is demonstrated as the mode of interaction, which possibly facilitates effective charge-transfer.

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

Heteroditopic receptors (4a–e) based on a thiacalix[4]arene in the 1,3-alternate conformation, which have two urea moieties linking various phenyl groups substituted with either electron-donating or -withdrawing groups at their m-, or p-positions with a crown-ether moiety at the opposite side of the thiacalix[4]arene cavity, have been synthesized. The two examples with p-CH3– (4b) and p-NO2-substituted (4e) phenyl groups have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The binding properties of receptor 4e were investigated by means of 1H NMR spectroscopic and absorption titration experiments in CHCl3–DMSO (10 : 1, v/v) solution in the presence of K+ ions and various anions. Interestingly, it was found that receptor 4e, which possesses two p-nitrophenyl ureido moieties, can complex most efficiently in the urea cavity or the crown-ether moiety; and the plausible allosteric effect of receptor 4e was also studied.

Synthesis and evaluation of a novel ionophore based on a thiacalix[4]arene derivative bearing imidazole units

O-Alkylation of the flexible thiacalix[4]arene 1 with 2-chloromethyl-1-methyl-1H-imidazole 2 in the presence of Na2CO3 or K2CO3 afforded mono-O-alkylation product 3 in 29–51% yield, along with recovery of the starting compound. In contrast, the same reaction in the presence of Cs2CO3 gave only one pure stereoisomer, namely 1,3-alternate-4; other possible isomers were not observed. Alkali metal salts such as Na2CO3 and Cs2CO3 can play an important role in the conformer distribution via a template effect. The conformations of the receptors, mono-O-alkylation product 3 and that of 1,3-alternate-4, have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, the complexation properties of the receptor 1,3-alternate-4 toward selected alkali/transition metal cations are reported. The two-phase solvent extraction data indicated that 1,3-alternate-4 exhibited a stronger extraction efficiency for transition metals over alkali metals. The dichromate anion extraction ability of 1,3-alternate-4 showed that it could serve as an efficient extractor of HCr2O7−/Cr2O72− anions at low pH.

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

Three novel thiacalix[4]arene receptors 4a–c each with a 1,3-alternate conformation and possessing two urea moieties linking various phenyl groups substituted with either para electron-donating or -withdrawing groups have been synthesized. The binding properties of these receptors were investigated by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy and UV-vis absorption titration experiments using various anions. The structures and complexation energies were also studied by density functional theory (DFT) methods. The results suggested that receptor 4c, which possesses two p-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl ureido moieties, can complex most efficiently in the urea cavity and exhibits high selectivity towards F− and AcO− ions.

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of a 1,3-disubstituted thiacalix[4]arene crown-5 armed with phenothiazine moieties

A new thiacalix[4]arene phenothiazine derivative (2) based on a thiacalix[4]crown with a 1,3-alternate conformation has been synthesized and characterized. In THF-water mixture, Compound 2 exhibits a strong fluorescence emission, with a large Stokes shift (λex/em = 357 nm/505 nm, Δλ = 148 nm), which helps to avoid interference in excitation and emission. For the metal ions tested, the fluorescence of Compound 2 was quenched only by Fe3+ and Cr3+ ions. Evidence for the hydrolysis reaction promoted by the metal ions is given by X-ray crystallography, mass spectra (MS), infrared (IR) spectra, and fluorescence spectroscopy data.

A Rare and Exclusive Endoperoxide Photoproduct Derived from a Thiacalix[4]arene Crown-Shaped Derivative Bearing a 9,10-Substituted Anthracene Moiety

A rare and exclusive endoperoxide photoproduct was quantitatively obtained from a thiacalix[4]arene crown-shaped derivative upon irradiation at λ=365 nm; the structure was unambiguously confirmed by (1) H/(13) C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The prerequisites for the formation of the endoperoxide photoproduct have also been discussed. Furthermore, the photochemical reaction rate could be greatly enhanced in the presence of the thiacalix[4]arene platform because it served as a host to capture oxygen.

An Unprecedented Photochemical Reaction for Anthracene‐Containing Derivatives

A series of anthracene-containing derivatives have been synthesised and characterised. The photochemical behaviour of these derivatives have been investigated by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. An unprecedented photolysis reaction for anthracene-containing derivatives was observed in the case of anthracenes directly armed with a -CH2 O-R group upon UV irradiation. The photolysis reaction process has been demonstrated to occur in three steps. Firstly, the anthracene-containing derivatives are converted into the corresponding endoperoxide intermediate upon UV irradiation in the presence of air; then, the endoperoxide intermediate is decomposed to the corresponding starting compound and 9-anthraldehyde; finally, 9-anthraldehyde is further oxidised to anthraquinone. Additionally, the photolysis reaction of anthracene-containing derivatives is significantly promoted in the presence of a thiacalix[4]arene platform.