Dimeric Pillar[5]arene as a Novel Fluorescent Host for Controllable Fabrication of Supramolecular Assemblies and Their Photocatalytic Applications.

A dimeric fluorescent macrocycle m-TPE Di-EtP5 (meso-tetraphenylethylene dimeric ethoxypillar[5]arene) is synthesized based on the meso-functionalized ethoxy pillar[5]arene. Through the connectivity of two pillar[5]arenes by CC double bond, the central tetraphenylethylene (TPE) moiety is simultaneously formed. The resultant bicyclic molecule not only retains the host-guest properties of pillararenes but also introduces the interesting aggregation-induced emission properties inherent in the embedded TPE structure. Three dinitrile derivatives with various linkers are designed as guests (G1, G2, and G3) to form host-guest assemblies with m-TPE Di-EtP5. The morphological control and fluorescence properties of the assemblies are successfully realized. G1 with a shorter alkyl chain as the linker completely threads into the cavities of the host. G2, due to its longer chain length, forms a linear supramolecular polymer upon binding to m-TPE Di-EtP5. G3 differs from G2 by possessing a bulky phenyl group in the middle of the chain, which can be further assembled with m-TPE Di-EtP5 to form supramolecular layered polymer and precipitated out in solution, and can be efficiently applied to photocatalytic reactions.

Stoichiometry-Controlled Chirality Induced by Co-assembly of Tetraphenylethylene Derivative, γ-CD, and Water-Soluble Pillar[5]arene.

A stoichiometry-controlled chirality induction was successfully achieved through coassemblies of amphiphilic tetraphenylethylene derivative TPEA, γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), and water-soluble pillar[5]arene WP5 in aqueous solution. Stoichiometric variation of WP5 was found to be an effective strategy to induce topological transition between the pseudo[4]rotaxane and the vesicular form. Interestingly, the formation of pseudo[4]rotaxane triggered dual chirality induction from chiral γ-CD to TPEA (negative ICD1), and then, to dynamically racemic WP5 (positive ICD2), whereas both ICD1 and ICD2 were silent in the vesicular form.

Selection of Planar Chiral Conformations between Pillar[5,6]arenes Induced by Amino Acid Derivatives in Aqueous Media.

Chiral α-amino acids play critical roles in the metabolic process in nearly all life forms. So far, chiral recognition of α-amino acids has mainly focused on the determination of l/d enantiomers. Herein, selection of planar chiral conformations between water-soluble pillar[5]arene WP5 and pillar[6]arene WP6 was observed due to α-side chain or ethyl ester moieties of l-α-amino acid ethyl ester hydrochlorides binding with WP5 and WP6, respectively. Therefore, α-side chain and ethyl ester moieties of l-α-amino acid ethyl ester hydrochlorides were recognized by observing the induced CD signal and its inversion. This is a rare example of being able to detect the chiral region around α-carbon of a chiral α-amino acid molecule.

ß-D-Galactose-Functionalized Pillar[5]arene With Interesting Planar-Chirality for Constructing Chiral Nanoparticles.

Planar-chiral pillar[5]arenes bearing ß-D-galactose substituents on both rims have been successfully synthesized and effectively separated by silica gel chromatography with a high yield. The obtained (S p )- and (R p )-ß-D-galactose functionalized pillar[5]arenes [(S p-D )-GP5 and (R p-D )-GP5] exhibit the S p and R p planar chirality. Furthermore, (S p-D )-GP5 and (R p-D )-GP5 can not racemize according to dynamic 1H NMR and CD spectra. Notably, GP5 is able to capture a guest molecule (DNS-CPT) to form a host-guest supramolecular amphiphile, which can further self-assemble into chiral nanoparticles with the S p and R p planar chirality of (S p-D )-GP5 and (R p-D )-GP5 still being retained, suggesting GP5 could be as reliable chiral sources to transfer the S p and R p planar chirality.

Screening of chitin deacetylase producing microbes from marine source using a novel receptor on agar plate.

Chitosan is a deacetylated form of naturally occurring polymer; chitin. On an industrial scale, the deacetylation of chitin to chitosan is performed using harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide. This not only adds to the environmental pollution but the product is also random in terms of its deacetylation. This shortcoming can be addressed by using enzymes like chitin deacetylase (CDA). The screening of these organisms would require a reliable, fast and sensitive screening method. The deacetylation of chitin into chitosan, releases acetate as the byproduct of the reaction. A receptor which specifically binds to the acetate ion was synthesized chemically. The receptor upon binding with the acetate ion emitted a fluorescence which could be viewed using the gel documentation unit. The receptor was optimized for the screening of CDA producing microbes with the positive fungal control as Penicillium sp. and bacterial control as Bacillus megaterium. A parallel study with the 4-Nitroacetanilide, the reported screening indicator for CDA was performed. The results obtained with the receptor in the present study were concordant with the 4-Nitroacetanilide. Upon standardization, the protocol was extended for the screening of CDA producing microbes from the marine crustacean dumped soil and water samples. The CDA activity of these microbes was further confirmed using spectrophotometric MBTH assay. This is the first report using this receptor for the screening of CDA producers. The method is not only sensitive but also reproducible and can be extended for a high throughput screening of CDA producers.

Hydrazinylpyridine based highly selective optical sensor for aqueous source of carbonate ions: Electrochemical and DFT studies.

A series of new receptors PDZ1-3 based on 2-(arylidenehydrazinyl)pyridines have been designed and synthesized for the detection of biologically and environmentally important ions. The colorimetric detection of CO32- using neutral organic receptor PDZ-1 has been achieved with characteristic visual colour change from yellow to green accompanied by a large redshift of 215nm in absorption maxima. UV-Vis spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric studies reveal the stoichiometry of binding and electrochemistry of host-guest complex formation. The binding constant was found to be 0.77×104M-2. In addition, electrochemical studies provide an insight into the stability of the complex. DFT studies performed on the PDZ-1 and PDZ-1-CO32- complex reveal the binding mechanism involved in the anion detection process. PDZ-1 is highly selective for carbonate and does not show any colorimetric response towards any other anions or cations, while PDZ-2 and PDZ-3 remain inactive in the ion detection process. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of PDZ-1 for carbonate was found to be 0.11mM and 0.36mM respectively. Considerable binding constant and limit of detection make PDZ-1 to be used as a real time sensor for the detection of carbonate in environmental and biological samples.

Spectral and DFT studies of anion bound organic receptors: Time dependent studies and logic gate applications.

New colorimetric receptors R1 and R2 with varied positional substitution of a cyano and nitro signaling unit having a hydroxy functionality as the hydrogen bond donor site have been designed, synthesized and characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The receptors R1 and R2 exhibit prominent visual response for F- and AcO- ions allowing the real time analysis of these ions in aqueous media. The formation of the receptor-anion complexes has been supported by UV-vis titration studies and confirmed through binding constant calculations. The anion binding process follows a first order rate equation and the calculated rate constants reveal a higher order of reactivity for AcO- ions. The 1H NMR titration and TDDFT studies provide full support of the binding mechanism. The Hg2+ and F- ion sensing property of receptor R1 has been utilized to arrive at "AND" and "INHIBIT" molecular logic gate applications.