Selective derivatisation of resorcarenes: 1. The regioselective formation of tetra-benzoxazine derivatives

Abstract Four 5,6-benzo-1,3-oxazine rings are formed by the condensation of resorcarenes with various aliphatic or aromatic primary amines and formaldehyde. From four possible regioisomers only the C4 symmetrical compound is isolated in yields of up to 90%. Semiempirical calculations confirm its relative stability, which is due to the possible formation of four intramolecular OH…O hydrogen bonds. The regioselectivity of the reaction is further established for two examples by single crystal X-ray analysis. A solvent molecule is included in the extended cavity.

Unexpected Conformational Behaviour of a Diphosphate Derived from a Spherand-Type Calixarene

The spherand-type calixarene 2a, which consists of three diphenol units linked by methylene bridges, was treated with phosphorus pentachloride and then with water. A C1-symmetrical conformation was found for the resulting bisphosphate 7 in the crystalline state by X-ray analysis, with an anti orientation of the phosphoryl groups. MM3 calculations lead to a nearly identical conformation for the most stable isomer (RRS-twist), while a slightly higher energy was found for an RRS-crown isomer with a syn orientation of the phosporyl groups. Surprisingly, all NMR studies (1H, 13C and 31P) of 7 are in agreement with a dynamic C2 symmetry in solution. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Wein…

Reasons for the exclusive formation of heterodimeric capsules between tetra-tolyl and tetra-tosylurea calix[4]arenes

The selective heterodimerization of tetra-tolyl (1a) and tetra-tosylurea (1b) calixarenes, serendipitously found by Rebek et al. (R. K. Castellano, B. H. Kim and J. Rebek, Jr., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1997, 119, 12671–12672), has been used for the construction of highly sophisticated macrocycles and well-defined supramolecular assemblies. Regrettably, hitherto, neither the exact structure of these heterodimers nor the reason for their exclusive formation is known. We present molecular dynamics simulations using the AMBER force field in explicit chloroform solvent for the two homodimers, the heterodimer and the two uncomplexed tetra-urea calixarenes. The rigid rotation about the C–S–N–C bond of t…

New Molecular Topologies by Fourfold Metathesis Reactions within a Hydrogen-Bonded Calix[4]arene Dimer

A calix[4]arene tetrapentyl ether in the cone conformation substituted at its wide rim by four m-(omega-octenyloxy)phenyl urea groups forms hydrogen-bonded dimeric capsules in dichloromethane/benzene (95:5). Metathesis reaction with Grubbs' catalyst under high-dilution conditions (1.1 x 10(-4) M) followed by hydrogenation leads to a covalent connection of all the urea groups within a dimer. Three topologically different products may be expected in such a reaction: a bis[2]catenane, a doubly bridged monocatenane and a tetrabridged capsule. All three possible reaction products could be isolated in an overall yield up to 60 % for the separated and purified compounds. Their identification was b…

Regio- and diastereoselective condensation of resorcarenes with primary amines and formaldehyde

Abstract Mannich reactions of resorcarenes 1 with chiral amines yield single diastereomeric tetrakis-(benzodihydro-1,3-oxazine) derivatives 2 in high yields (80–90%). Epimerisation of these products occurs in the presence of acid.

Cyclic tetraureas with variable flexibility--synthesis, crystal structures and properties.

Macrocyclic molecules containing several amide or urea functions may serve as anion receptors. We describe the synthesis of 32-membered macrocycles, in which four rigid xanthene units (X) and/or diphenyl ether units (D) as flexible analogues are linked via urea groups. All six possible combinations of these units (XXXX, XXXD, XXDD, XDXD, XDDD and DDDD) were synthesized and two examples were characterised by single-crystal X-ray analyses (DDDD and two structures for XXXD). Both macrocycles showed distinct differences in their overall conformation and consequently in their hydrogen-bonding pattern. Hydrogen-bonded solvent molecules are found for both compounds and intramolecular hydrogen bond…

Orientational preferences of aromatic guests in dimeric capsules of tetraurea calix[4]arenes—MD and NMR studies

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed for complexes of a dimeric capsule of a tetraurea calixarene with a series of twelve aromatic guests. A distinct orientational preference and a restriction of the internal mobility was found which depend on the size and electronic properties of the guests. The results are in agreement with the CIS values obtained from (1)H NMR spectroscopic measurements and with complexation selectivities obtained by competition experiments.

Heterodimeric capsules formed by tetratosyl and tetratolyl urea calix[4]arenes

Predictions made by MD simulations for size, shape and guest inclusion of a heterodimer formed by a tetratosyl and a tetratolyl urea calix[4]arene and for its hydrogen bonding system have been entirely confirmed by a single crystal X-ray structure.

Hydrogen bonding in dimers of tritolyl and tritosylurea derivatives of triphenylmethanes.

The crystal structure of the homodimer formed by the tritolylurea 3a proves the existence of a belt of six bifurcated hydrogen bonds between both NH and the O=C groups of the adjacent urea residues. For the tritosylurea 3b, four additional three-center hydrogen bonds, also involving the SO2 oxygen, are found in the crystalline state. Molecular dynamics simulations in a chloroform box confirm these patterns of the hydrogen bonds and the resulting elongation of the dimer 3b. 3b in comparison to 3a x 3a. The calculated complexation energies for the three dimeric combinations are nearly identical in agreement with the simultaneous formation of heterodimer 3a x 3b in a mixture of 3a and 3b.

Vierfache [2]Rotaxane von Calix[4]arenen durch Ringschluss

One-step synthesis of resorcarene dimers composed of two tetra-benzoxazine units

Abstract The condensation of resorcarene 1 with ethylenediamine and an excess of formaldehyde gives, under high dilution conditions, in up to 15% yield the octa-benzoxazine dimer 2 in which two molecules of 1 are connected by four bridges. The structure of 2 has been confirmed by 1 H NMR spectra and MALDI-TOF mass spectra and by hydrolysis of the oxazine rings yielding the secondary amine 3 .

Calix[4]arenes with alkylidene bridges, synthesis and conformational properties

Abstract Calix[4]arenes with one or two alkylidene bridges were synthesized by “2+2” fragment condensation. As predicted by molecular mechanics calculations aliphatic residues at the bridging carbon atom(s) prefer the equatorial position.

Two chloride ions as a template in the formation of a cyclic hexaurea.

Sterically and guest-controlled self-assembly of calix[4]arene derivatives.

In solvents such as chloroform or benzene, tetraurea calix[4]arenes 1 form dimeric capsules in which one solvent molecule is usually included as guest. To explore the structural requirements for the formation of such hydrogen-bonded dimers we replaced one p-tolylurea residue by a simple acetamide function. The resulting calix[4]arene 2 a, substituted at its wide rim with one acetamide and three p-tolylurea functions, assumes a C(1)-symmetrical conformation in apolar solvents as shown by (1)H NMR, which is not compatible with the usual capsule. In the crystalline state, four molecules of 2 a, adopting a pinched cone conformation, assemble into a quasi S(4)-symmetrical tetramer stabilized by …

Conformational properties of methylene bridged resorcarenes

Abstract Conformations and conformational interconversions of resorcarene 1c have been studied by molecular mechanics calculations. As with calix[4]arenes the general stability of the four basic conformations is cone > partial cone > 1,2-alternate > 1,3-alternate. The lowest energy is calculated for a pinched cone conformer with C2v symmetry stabilised by intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the two “parallel” resorcinol units as donors. The topomerisation of the cone conformation proceeds via the partial cone and 1,2-alternate intermediates with a calculated barrier of 9.9 kcal mol−1 which is in excellent agreement with the experimental value.

Chemical Modification of Calix[4]arenes and Resorcarenes

3-Oxa-6,8-diaza-1,2:4,5-dibenzocycloocta-1,4-dien-7-one: a three-dimensional network assembled by hydrogen-bonding, pi-pi and edge-to-face interactions.

The title compound, C(13)H(10)N(2)O(2), is the first structure in which the urea moiety is incorporated into an eight-membered ring. Two molecules are found in the asymmetric unit, which are almost identical in their conformation and their hydrogen-bond pattern. The carbonyl O atom acts as a double acceptor for the NH groups of two adjacent molecules. In this way, infinite tapes are formed, which are connected via pi-pi and edge-to-face interactions in the second and third dimension. This hierarchical order of interactions is confirmed by molecular mechanics calculations. Force-field and semi-empirical calculations for a single molecule did not find the envelope conformation present in the …

Self-Assembled Hydrogen-Bonded Dimeric Capsules with High Kinetic Stability

Zwei Chloridionen als Templat bei der Bildung eines cyclischen Hexaharnstoff-Moleküls

Preferred dimerization of tetra-tolyl- and tetra-tosylurea derivatives of flexible and rigidified calix[4]arenes

The dimerization of tetratolyl- and tetratosyl-urea derivatives 1 and 2, derived from a tetrapentoxy calix[4]arene in the cone conformation and of the corresponding tetra-urea derivatives 3 and 4, in which the cone conformation is rigidified by the two crown-3 tethers, have been studied. All six possible equimolar mixtures were examined by 1H NMR using CDCl3 and CD2Cl2 as solvents. While no heterodimers are found for the combinations 1/3 and 2/4 in either solvent, all remaining combinations lead to the (exclusive) formation of heterodimers in CD2Cl2. In CDCl3 heterodimers are only observed for the combinations of 3 with 2 or 4. These results are discussed in terms of entropic and enthalpic …

Unusual conformations of 1,3-dialkoxythiacalix[4]arenes in the solid state

The structures of three syn-1,3-dialkoxythiacalix[4]arenes with unusual conformations in the solid state are reported. The pinched cone conformation of syn-2 2 ,4 2 -dihydroxy-1 2 ,3 2 -bis-(prop-2-enyloxy)thiacalix[4]arene, C 30 H 24 O 4 S 4 , (3a), is stabilized by two intramolecular hydrogen bonds, remarkably formed from both OH groups to the same ether O atom. In syn-22,42-dihydroxy-1 5 ,2 5 ,3 5 ,4 5 -tetranitro-12,32-bis(prop-2-enyloxy)thiacalix[4]arene acetone disolvate, C 30 H 20 N 4 O 12 S 4 ·-2C 3 H 6 O, (3b1), the molecule is found in the 1,3-alternate conformation. The crystallographic C2 symmetry is due to a twofold rotation axis running through the centre of the calixarene rin…

Selbstorganisierte, über Wasserstoffbrücken gebundene dimere Kapseln mit hoher kinetischer Stabilität

Fourfold [2]rotaxanes of calix[4]arenes by ring closure.

Dimeric capsules of tetraurea calix[4]arenes. MD simulations and X-ray structure, a comparison

The single crystal X-ray structure of a homodimer of a tetra(tolylurea) calix[4]arene including a tetraethylammonium cation as guest shows an expansion of the capsule and a distortion of its shape, in comparison to the structure of a similar dimer with an encapsulated benzene molecule. Thus, only 8 of 16 possible hydrogen bonds are present in the hydrogen bonded belt holding together the two hemispheres. The encapsulated cation is disordered over two equivalent positions with two methyl groups pointing to the equator, while two methyl groups pointing to the poles form CH–π interactions with the inner surfaces of the calixarene cavities. MD simulations are in agreement with the distorted X-r…

Cyclic triureas—synthesis, crystal structures and properties

The synthesis of 24-membered macrocycles is described, in which rigid xanthene units (X) and/or diphenyl ether units (D) as flexible analogues are linked via urea groups. All four possible combinations (XXX, XXD, XDD, DDD) have been obtained with yields of 40-72% for the cyclisation step. In two cases, the respective cyclic hexamers (XXDXXD, XXXXXX) were also isolated. Two compounds have been characterised by a single crystal X-ray analysis of the free triurea (XXD, XDD) and one example (DDD) by its complex with tetrabutylammonium chloride. It shows the chloride anion in the centre of the macrocycle, held by six NH...Cl- hydrogen bonds. The interaction with various other anions has been stu…

Molecular Motions within Self-Assembled Dimeric Capsules with Tetraethylammonium Cations as Guest

Hydrogen-bonded, dimeric capsules of calix[4]arenes substituted at the wide rim by four urea functions show unprecedented dynamic features when a tetraethylammonium cation is included as a guest. The seam of hydrogen bonds C=O...(HN)2C=O in the equatorial region which holds the two calixarene counterparts together changes its directionality fast (at 25 degrees C), while the dimer itself is kinetically stable on the NMR time scale. An energy barrier of deltaG++ = 49.9 kJmol(-1) (Tc 276 K) was estimated for this reorientation from variable-temperature (VT) NMR measurements. Lowering the temperature to about -50 degrees C restricts also the rotation of the encapsulated tetraethylammonium catio…

Informational rigidity in mesitylene-based calix[4]arenes adopting a 1,3-alternate conformation

Abstract Two chiral derivatives of a mesitylene-based calix[4]arene known to exist in the 1,3-alternate conformation were prepared by the attachment of homochiral residues to the four exo -hydroxy groups. Thus, the enantiotopic protons of the central scaffold became diastereotopic, leading to a doubling of their 1 H NMR signals in one example. From the temperature independence of the NMR spectrum, a lower limit of 24.2 kcal/mol could be estimated for the barrier of ring inversion. MM3 calculations confirm the 1,3-alternate conformation as the energy minimum, and estimate a barrier of 25.7 kcal/mol for the 1,3-alternate-to-1,3-alternate* interconversion process. This high barrier is due to t…

Ring inversion pathways of exo- and endo-calix[4]arenes studied by means of the MM3 force field

Abstract The ring inversion pathways of an exo-calix[4]arene 1a and of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene 2a were investigated by means of the dihedral driver option of the MM3(92) force field. The calculated activation energies of 14.0 and 6.7 kcal mol−1 are in excellent agreement with the experimentally determined value for p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene and the observed flexibility of the exo-calix[4]arene on the NMR timescale.

Hydrogen bonded calixarene capsules kinetically stable in DMSO.

Half-life times up to 4 days in DMSO at room temperature are observed for the decomposition of dimeric capsules of urea substituted calix[4]arenes held together by a combination of hydrogen bonds, mechanical entanglement and cation–π interactions.