Polyaromatic Calixarene Hosts: Calix[4]pyrenes.

Calixpyrenes, calix[4]arenes incorporating one or two pyrene moieties as a part of their hydrophobic cavities, have been prepared and fully characterized. Distally di-O-propoxy diether of the calix dipyrene, which exists in the pinched cone conformation with nearly parallel pyrene moieties, demonstrates strongly enhanced binding of an organic cation (N-methylpyridinium) compared with the analogous diethers of the parent calix[4]arene.

Long Range Electronic Effects on the Host-Guest Complexation within the Oxygen Depleted 5,5'-Bicalixarene Cavities.

We report the synthesis of a series of the oxygen-depleted conjugated 5,5'-Bicalix[4]arene compounds bearing various substituents at the terminal positions of the conjugated chain and their fluorescence response to the presence of a cationic N-methylpyridinium guest. The complexation of this cation within the bicalixarene cavity results in the fluorescence quenching, with the host molecules bearing electron-donating groups demonstrating a stronger fluorescence response. These results show the importance of the electronic effects on the host-guest complexation within the hydrophobic calixarene scaffolds.

Carbazole-fused calixarene cavities: single and mixed AIEgen systems for NO detection.

Novel oxygen-depleted calix[4]arenes containing fused carbazole moieties demonstrate AIEgen behavior in aqueous solutions. This phenomenon leads to highly sensitive detection of nitric-oxide guest molecules because it affects intra- and intermolecular energy transfer within aggregates.

Electronic Tuning of Host-Guest Interactions within the Cavities of Fluorophore-Appended Calix[4]arenes.

A series of fluorescent calix[4]arene scaffolds bearing electron-rich carbazole moiety conjugated at the lower rim have been prepared. Studies of the fluorescence quenching in the presence of the N-methyl pyridinium guest revealed that the electronic properties of the distal phenolic ring play a major role in the host-guest complexation. In particular, placing an electron-donating piperidine fragment at that ring significantly increased the host-guest interactions, while introducing the same fragment into the proximal phenolic ring weakened the fluorescence response. These results suggest that the dominant interactions between the guest and calixarene cavity involve the oxygen-depleted fluorophore-bearing aromatic ring and not the more electron-rich unsubstituted phenolic fragments.

Synthesis of a Zirconium Complex of an N,O-type p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene and Its Application in Some Multicomponent Reactions.

The synthesis and characterization of a new octahedral Zr(IV) complex of oxygen-depleted N,O-type calixarene ligand comprising two distal-functionalized pyrazole rings have been reported. The cone shape and structure of the prepared complex were confirmed univocally by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and NMR studies. The Zr metal lies at 2.091 Å from the plane of the calixarene ring. This complex has been utilized as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of Biginelli adducts, bis(indolyl)methanes, and coumarins. This complex (Cl2Zr-calixarene) showed superior activity for these multicomponent reactions in comparison to the corresponding Ti(IV) and Zn(II) analogues. Ferrocene-appended bis(indolyl)methane, prepared using this catalyst, was also evaluated for its anticancer activity against the A-172 cell line.

Selective Stepwise Arylation of Unprotected Peptides by PtIV Complexes.

LPtIV F(Aryl) complexes bearing a bulky bidentate 2-[bis(adamant-1-yl)phosphino]phenoxide ligand (L) demonstrate excellent reactivity and selectivity in the arylation of X-H (X=S, N) bonds of amino acid residues in unprotected peptides under mild, including aqueous, conditions. Stepwise addition of these complexes allowed a convenient one-pot introduction of different aromatic groups in the X-H bonds of Cys and N terminus. PtIV reagents can also be used to further arylate N-H bonds in Lys and Trp providing access to peptides bearing multiple aromatic groups.

Fluorophore-Appendant 5,5'-Bicalixarene Scaffolds for Host-Guest Sensing of Nitric Oxide.

Conjugated 5,5'-Bicalixarene scaffolds having fluorophores at the chain termini have been prepared and tested in the supramolecular detection of nitric oxide. Scaffolds bearing electron-rich fluorophores demonstrated a stronger turn-off response to the presence of NO than the fluorophore-free analogue in both organic and aqueous media, while no fluorescence quenching happened when the electron-deficient fluorophores were employed. Unprecedented ratiometric supramolecular sensing was observed when fluorophores of the opposite electronic demands were placed at the scaffold's termini.

Aryl C(sp2)-X Coupling (X = C, N, O, Cl) and Facile Control of N-Mono- and N,N-Diarylation of Primary Alkylamines at a Pt(IV) Center.

We present the first example of an unprecedented and fast aryl C(sp2)-X reductive elimination from a series of isolated Pt(IV) aryl complexes (Ar = p-FC6H4) LPtIVF(py)(Ar)X (X = CN, Cl, 4-OC6H4NO2) and LPtIVF2(Ar)(HX) (X = NHAlk; Alk = n-Bu, PhCH2, cyclo-C6H11, t-Bu, cyclopropylmethyl) bearing a bulky bidentate 2-[bis(adamant-1-yl)phosphino]phenoxide ligand (L). The C(sp2)-X reductive elimination reactions of all isolated Pt(IV) complexes follow first-order kinetics and were modeled using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. When a difluoro complex LPtIVF2(Ar)(py) is treated with TMS-X (TMS = trimethylsilyl; X= NMe2, SPh, OPh, CCPh) it also gives the corresponding products of the Ar-X coupling but without observable LPtIVF(py)(Ar)X intermediates. Remarkably, the LPtIVF2(Ar)(HX) complexes with alkylamine ligands (HX = NH2Alk) form selectively either mono- (ArNHAlk) or diarylated (Ar2NAlk) products in the presence or absence of an added Et3N, respectively. This method allows for a one-pot preparation of diarylalkylamine bearing different aryl groups. These findings were also applied in unprecedented mono- and di-N-arylation of amino acid derivatives (lysine and tryptophan) under very mild conditions.

Selective detection of chemical warfare agents VX and Sarin by the short wavelength inner filter technique (SWIFT).

A novel SWIFT-based strategy for fluorimetric detection of practical amounts (minimal effective dose or lower) of chemical warfare agents is reported. This strategy employs readily available reagents and allows distinguishing between the V and G agents, as well as their discrimination from potential interferents.

Oxygen-Depleted Calixarenes as Ligands for Molecular Models of Galactose Oxidase.

A calix[4]arene ligand, in which two of the phenol functions are replaced by pyrazole units has been employed to mimic the His2 -Tyr2 (His: histidine, Tyr: tyrosine) ligand sphere within the active site of the galactose oxidase (GO). The calixarene backbone forces the corresponding copper(II) complex into a see-saw-type structure, which is hitherto unprecedented in GO modelling chemistry. It undergoes a one-electron oxidation that is centered at the phenolate donor leading to a copper-coordinated phenoxyl radical like in the GO. Accordingly, the complex was tested as a functional model and indeed proved capable of oxidizing benzyl alcohol to the respective aldehyde using two phenoxyl-radical equivalents as oxidants. Finally, the results show that the calixarene platform can be utilized to arrange donor functions to biomimetic binding pockets that allow for the creation of novel types of model compounds.

Short Wavelength Inner Filter Technique (SWIFT) in Designing Reactive Fluorescent Molecular Probes.

Here, we present a conceptually novel and experimentally straightforward technique for selective analyte detection that uses a combination of commercial fluorophores and simple chemicals. The technique utilizes the well-known inner filter effect (IFE); however, the fluorophore's excitation is performed at wavelengths significantly shorter than its absorption maximum. In the presence of the analyte, the "filter" appears or disappears at the excitation wavelength resulting in the fluorescence turning OFF or ON, respectively. Unlike common probes, our technique allows real-time monitoring of a fluorophore's stability as well as its recycling. We further demonstrate the applicability of this technique in continuing analyte detection as well as vapor analysis.

Fluorescent Calixarene Scaffolds for NO Detection in Protic Media.

We present the first fluorescent water-soluble conjugated calixarene scaffolds that are capable of NO gas detection. Two different scaffolds, one based on a 5,5'-bicalixarene structure and its isomer bearing two distantly conjugated calixarene moieties, were synthesized. While the fluorescence of both isomers is quenched upon either passing of NO gas or generating it in situ from diethylamine NONOate, the bicalixarene-based scaffold showed a significantly stronger response. We also present an example of a dye encapsulation strategy to achieve the detection of NO at longer wavelengths than in the parent calixarene host. Finally, a conjugated polymer bearing a 5,5'-bicalixarene scaffold has also been prepared and demonstrated enhanced sensitivity compared to the monomer due to the molecular wire effect.

Concentrated Aqueous Sodium Tosylate as Green Medium for Alkene Oxidation and Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions.

A hydrotropic solution of highly concentrated sodium tosylate (NaOTs) can be used as a recyclable medium for the environmentally benign oxidation of conjugated alkenes with H2O2. Both uncatalyzed and metal-catalyzed reactions provided the corresponding oxidation products in higher yields than in pure water or many common organic solvents.

Straightforward synthesis and catalytic applications of rigid N,O-type calixarene ligands.

Here, we report a simple one-step access to new rigid N,O-calixarene ligands which is based on copper-catalyzed amination at the lower rim. We also present the coordination properties of these ligands with some main group and transition metals leading to new complexes with superior catalytic activity, in several organic transformations, compared with calixarene metal complexes reported in the literature.

Selective aryl-fluoride reductive elimination from a platinum(IV) complex.

A difluoro(mesityl)platinum(IV) complex underwent highly selective reductive elimination of 2-fluoromesitylene upon heating in toluene. Kinetic analysis and DFT calculations suggest that the CF coupling involves a five-coordinate Pt(IV) transient intermediate resulting from the rate-limiting dissociation of the pyridine ligand.

Electrophilic halogenation-reductive elimination chemistry of organopalladium and -platinum complexes.

CONSPECTUS: Transition metal-catalyzed organic transformations often reveal competing reaction pathways. Determining the factors that control the selectivity of such reactions is of extreme importance for the design of reliable synthetic protocols. Herein, we present the account of our studies over the past decade aimed at understanding the selectivity of reductive elimination chemistry of organotransition metal complexes under electrophilic halogenation conditions. Much of our effort has focused on finding the conditions for selective formation of carbon (aryl)-halogen bonds in the presence of competing C-C reductive elimination alternatives. In most cases, the latter was the thermodynamically preferred pathway; however, we found that the reactions could be diverted toward the formation of aryl-iodine and aryl-bromine bonds under kinetic conditions. Of particular importance was to maintain the complex geometry that prohibits C-C elimination while allowing for the elimination of carbon-halogen bonds. This was achieved by employing sterically rigid diphosphine ligands which prevented isomerization within a series of Pt(IV) complexes. It was also important to understand that the neutral M(IV) products often observed or isolated in the oxidative addition reactions are not necessarily the intermediates in the reductive elimination chemistry as it generally takes place from unsaturated species formed en route to relatively stable M(IV) complexes. While aryl-halide reductive elimination for heavier halogens can be competitive with aryl-aryl coupling in diaryl M(IV) complexes, the latter reaction always prevails over aryl-fluoride bond formation. Even when one of the aryl groups is a part of a rigid cyclometalated ligand C-C coupling is still the dominant reaction pathway. However, when one of the aryl groups is replaced with a phenolate donor aryl-F bond formation becomes preferred over C-O bond elimination. During our studies, other interesting reactions have been discovered. For example, the fluorination of the C(sp(3))-H bond can be very selective and compete favorably with C-C coupling. Also, in electron-poor complexes, metal oxidation can have higher energy than oxidation of the coordinated iodo ligand resulting in I-F elimination instead of the formation of aryl-I bond. Overall, electrophilic fluorination can lead to often very selective elimination reactions giving new C-C, C-I, C-F, or I-F bonds, with this selectivity dependent on the metal center, supporting ligands, complex geometry, and electrophilic fluorine source. Together with the many reports on the halogenation of organometallic compounds that appeared in recent years, our results contribute to understanding the requirements for selective transformations under electrophilic conditions and design of new synthetic methods for making organohalogen compounds.

Organic synthesis "on water" vs "on liquids": a comparative analysis.

Several organic reactions that are accelerated under the "on water" conditions proceed equally well or better on other "nonsolvents" or in neat conditions. Alternatively, only 1 equiv of water was necessary to obtain the same acceleration effect testifying to the fact that the water-organic compounds boundary might be unnecessary to achieve the "on water"-like reactivity.

Room temperature rapid functionalization of E-H bonds (E = O, N, S) via the metal-ligand cooperation mechanism.

An arylpalladium PNF-type pincer complex reacts with water and anilines under very mild conditions, providing access to new PNO- and PNN-pincer complexes with concomitant hydrogen transfer to the ligand core. Such a metal-ligand cooperation mode allows for the irreversible double activation of even highly sterically hindered aniline molecules. With thiols, the activation mode depends on the nature of the substituent at the sulfur atom, with thiophenols giving products of C-S elimination.

Organopalladium complexes of oxacalixarenes: selecting the lid for the three-dimensional scaffold.

The first organometallic (palladium) complexes of oxacalixarene molecules were prepared via oxidative addition of the C-I bond at the lower rim. The unique geometry of the oxacalixarene scaffold allowed for the selective introduction of new ligands at the top of the calixarene scaffold. Such coordination can be used to coordinatively link the opposing aromatic rings.

Unprecedented 1,3-migration of the aryl ligand in metallacyclic aryl α-naphthyl Pt(IV) difluorides to produce ß-arylnaphthyl Pt(II) complexes.

Electrophilic fluorination of aryl α-naphthyl Pt(II) complexes leads to an unprecedented 1,3-migration of the aryl ligand to the ß-position of the naphthyl group. The reaction proceeds via the initial oxidative addition of two fluoro ligands to the Pt center followed by C(sp(2))-C(sp(2)) coupling and aryl migration.