P. S. Lakshminarayanan

Anion complexation of a pentafluorophenyl-substituted tripodal urea receptor in solution and the solid state: selectivity toward phosphate

The binding and selectivity of halides (spherical) and oxyanions (tetrahedral) toward a recently reported pentafluorophenyl-substituted tripodal urea-based receptor L(1) are examined thoroughly in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray crystallography as well as in solution by multinuclear NMR techniques. Crystallographic results show proof of a fluoride encapsulation in the cavity of L(1) in complex [L(1)(F)][Bu(4)N], . Fluoride encapsulation inside the C(3v) symmetric cleft is observed via six hydrogen bonds to all six urea protons of the receptor. In case of complex crystallographic results show encapsulation of sulfate ion inside a supramolecular cage formed upon 1 : 2 (guest-host) complex formation between sulfate and L(1). Sulfate encapsulation is observed via fourteen hydrogen bonding interactions from all six urea moieties of two L(1) units. Our effort to isolate single crystal of halides/oxyanions complexes of L(2) always yield single crystals of free L(2) though literature shows anion binding with this receptor in solution. Solution state binding studies of L(1) are carried out by (1)H-NMR titration to calculate binding constants, which show the following anion binding sequence H(2)PO(4)(-) > SO(4)(2-)> CH(3)COO(-) > F(-) > Cl(-) >> Br(-) whereas there is no binding with I(-), NO(3)(-) and ClO(4)(-) guests. Comparison of phosphate and sulfate binding in L(1) and L(2), show higher binding with the pentafluorophenyl substituted receptor, L(1). Further (19)F and (31)P-NMR experiments in solution are also carried out to probe the binding of F(-) and H(2)PO(4)(-) with L(1), respectively. Extensive (1)H-NMR experiments in solution and crystallization in the presence of multiple anions are also undertaken to evaluate the selectivity of H(2)PO(4)(-) over other anions.

Spherical versus Linear Anion Encapsulation in the Cavity of a Protonated Azacryptand

Grams scale synthesis of an octaaminocryptand L(2) with high yield is obtained in one-pot by low-temperature [2 + 3] condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine with isophthalaldehyde, followed by sodium borohydride reduction. Structural aspects of octaaminocryptand L(2) x MeOH, binding of iodide (spherical) and bichloride (linear) in L(2), (1,4,11,14,17,24,29,36-octa-azapentacyclo-[12.12.12..2(6,9).2(19,22).2(31,34)]-tetratetraconta 6(43),7,9(44),19(41),20,22(42),31(39),32,34(40)-nonane, N(CH2CH2NHCH2-m-xylyl-CH2NHCH2CH2)3N), in the hexaprotonated and tetraprotonated states, respectively, are examined. Crystallographic results show binding of single iodide [H6L(2)I](I)5 x 4 H2O, (2), in a hexaprotonated cryptand L(2). Monotopic recognition of iodide is observed via (N-H)(+)...iodide interactions. The tetraprotonation of L(2) by hydrochloric acid showed the formation and encapsulation of a bichloride inside the cavity, which is examined from the single-crystal X-ray study. Encapsulation and binding of a proton-bridged linear bichloride inside the cavity of tetraprotonated L(2), [H4L(2)(ClHCl)](Cl)3 x nH2O (3), via (N-H)(+)...chloride interactions is observed in the structural investigation. This study shows that degree of protonation and its distribution in the receptor architecture play an important role in guest encapsulation. Further, it represents the first example of an encapsulated bichloride inside the cavity of an organic host.

Trapped inorganic phosphate dimer

Single crystal X-ray crystallographic signature of the pentafluorophenyl substituted tripodal urea-based receptor shows formation of a pseudo dimeric cage which also encapsulates a phosphate dimer via numerous hydrogen bonding and anion[dot dot dot]pi interactions.

Structural studies on encapsulation of tetrahedral and octahedral anions by a protonated octaaminocryptand cage

Summary Structural aspects of the binding of inorganic anions such as perchlorate, hydrogen sulfate, and hexafluorosilicate with the proton cage of octaaminocryptand L 1, N(CH2CH2NHCH2-p-xylyl-CH2NHCH2CH2)3N), are examined thoroughly. Crystallographic results for a hexaprotonated perchlorate complex of L 1, [(H6L1)6+(ClO4 −)]5(ClO4 −)·11H2O·CH3CN (1), an octaprotonated hydrogen sulfate complex of L 1, [(H8 L 1)8+(HSO4 −)]7(HSO4 −)·3H2O·CH3OH (2) and an octaprotonated fluorosilicate complex of L 1, [(H8 L 1)8+(HSiF6 −)]3(SiF6 2−)·(HSiF6 −)·15H2O (3), show encapsulation of one perchlorate, hydrogen sulfate and hexafluorosilicate, respectively inside the cage of L 1 in their protonated states. Further, detailed structural analysis on complex 1 reveals that the hexaprotonated L 1 encapsulates a perchlorate via two N–H···O and five O–H···O hydrogen bonds from protonated secondary nitrogen atoms of L 1 and lattice water molecules, respectively. Encapsulated hydrogen sulfate in complex 2 is “glued” inside the octaprotonated cage of L 1 via four N–H···O and six C–H···O hydrogen bonds whereas encapsulated HSiF6 − in complex 3 has short contacts via six N–H···F and three C–H···F hydrogen bonds with [H8 L 1]8+. In the cases of complexes 2 and 3, the cryptand L 1 in octaprotonated state shows monotopic encapsulation of the guest and the final conformation of these receptors is spherical in nature compared to the elongated shape of hexaprotonated state of L 1 in complex 1.

Recognition of fluoride in fluorophenyl attached tripodal amide receptors: structural evidence of solvent capped encapsulation of anion in a C3v-symmetric tripodal cleft

A new 2,3,4,5-tetrafluorophenyl substituted tripodal amide-based receptor L1 and its pentafluorophenyl substituted analogue L2 were explored for halide binding studies in their solution and solid states. Comparative solution state binding studies of halides with L1 and L2 were carried out by 1H-NMR titration in CDCl3. Detailed solution state 1H-NMR studies show that halides bind with L1 and L2 with 1:1 stoichiometry in general. Binding constants of the halides with L1 and L2 were calculated by 1H-NMR titration studies where the fluoride shows selectivity over other halides and the fluoride binding constants (log K) with these two receptors were found to be 3.94 and 3.35, respectively. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis of the triamide receptors, L1 and L2, revealed two different conformations where L1 possesses a pre-organized C3v symmetric tripodal cleft, whereas in the case of L2 three arms are devoid of structural pre-organization to achieve a C3v symmetric cleft. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the cases of complexes formed between L2 and fluoride/chloride, [L2(F)(CHCl3)][N(Bu)4] (1) and [L2(Cl)(CHCl3)][N(Bu)4] (2), respectively, were also carried out to elucidate the structural evidence of anion encapsulation. A detailed structural analysis of complexes 1 and 2 shows that the fluoride and chloride are engulfed in the C3v symmetric cavity of L2 with three strong N–H⋯anion interactions where a CHCl3 molecule acts as a cap that closes the open end of the C3v symmetric cleft via C–H⋯anion and CHCl3⋯C6F5 interactions.