Luca Pescatori

Monotopic and heteroditopic calix[4]arene receptors as hosts for pyridinium and viologen ion pairs: a solution and solid-state study

The binding efficiency of a series of monotopic () and heteroditopic () calix[4]arene-based receptors has been evaluated in chloroform solution toward N-methylpyridinium ion pairs using NMR and UV/vis spectroscopic techniques. These experiments provided evidence that, due to a positive cooperative effect, the presence of a phenylurea H-bond donor group on the upper rim of the calix[4]arene macrocycle increases the recognition abilities of the heteroditopic receptors by up to two orders of magnitude with respect to the monotopic receptors. The heteroditopic receptors are also able to form 2:1 host-guest inclusion complexes with dimethylviologen salts both in low polarity solvents and in the solid state. These complexes are stabilized through the cooperation of weak (CH-pi and cation-pi) and strong (hydrogen bonding) intramolecular interactions between the binding domains of the calix[4]arene host and the two ions of the guest ion pair.

The Effect of Ligand Denticity in Size‐Selective Synthesis of Calix[n]arene‐Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles: A Multitechnique Approach

A series of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized by monodentate, bidentate, and tridentate thiolate calix[n]arene ligands 1-3 was prepared by using the Brust-Schiffrin two-phase direct synthesis and characterized with NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The experimental data show that the particular multidentate structure of calix[n]arene derivatives 2 and 3 introduces a control element in the preparation of the gold nanoparticles that allows, in the particular experimental conditions here reported, to obtain very small (≈1 nm) AuNPs. These are the first experimental findings that identify a role of ligand denticity in the determination of the nuclearity of nanoparticles.

Self-assembly of heteroditopic calix[4]arene capsules through ion-pair recognition

The chemical information stored in a rigid heteroditopic calix[4]arene receptor allows the formation in the solid state of an extended 1D superstructure of self-assembled capsules through ion-pair recognition processes of N-methylpyridinium chloride.

Surface grafting and reactivity of calixarene-based receptors and pseudorotaxanes on Si(100)

The first report is given here on the anchoring on H-Si(100) of calix[4]arenes and calix[6]arene-based pseudorotaxanes, versatile building blocks for molecular devices. Covalent functionalization on Si was reached through a wet chemistry recipe, by making use of an extra-mild photochemical activation via visible light of C=C terminated anchoring arms. Our approach largely preserves the integrity of the molecular substrate, also allowing for a full monolayer of pseudorotaxane to be formed on Si(100). Molecular adhesion has been demonstrated by the presence and quantitation of XPS signals from specific elements in the molecules. AFM measurements performed on Si(100)/calix[4]arenes have revealed structures 2.3 nm high, consistent with the length of the molecule. The availability of the calix[4]arene cavity to host further species after anchoring on Si has been demonstrated by the successful complexation reaction with Cs(+) ions, resulting in a 1:1 calix/Cs(+) ratio, and with N-methyl pyridinium iodide. A pseudorotaxane species, composed of a calix[6]arene wheel derivatised with N-phenylureido groups on the upper rim and a viologen (4,4-bipyridinium) containing axle, has been anchored on Si(100) via the C=C termination of the axle. We demonstrated the self-assembling of this pseudorotaxane covalently bound by use of XPS.