Lanthanide complexation with CMPO and CMPO-calix[4]arenes in solution: spectrophotometric and electrospray mass spectrometric approaches.

The binding of lanthanide(III) cations with organophosphorous ligands like CMPO and related calix[4]arene-based derivatives have been investigated using two experimental methods. The stability constants of the lanthanum, europium and ytterbium complexes were first determined in methanol by UV absorption spectrophotometry in the presence of nitrate or chloride anions. The results showed that the stoichiometry and the stability of the complexes formed depend on the position of the CMPO moieties either on the wide or the narrow rim of the calixarene scaffold, the nature of the medium, the conformational mobility of the ligands. Complexation of lanthanum was also followed by ESI-mass spectrometry in the same solvent. This method confirmed the stoichiometry of the complexes, giving also structural information, like coordination of anion or solvent molecules to the complexes, and allowed the calculation of distribution curves in good agreement with those derived from the spectrophotometric results. This is an important result showing that ESI-MS can be used to provide with quantitative information when absorption spectrophotometry is not applicable, i.e. for systems where complexation leads to weak spectral changes.

Separation of lanthanides and actinides using magnetic silica particles bearing covalently attached tetra-CMPO-calix[4]arenes.

Calix[4]arene tetraethers in the cone conformation bearing four -NH-CO-CH2-P(O)Ph2 (= CMPO) residues on their wide rim and one, two or four omega-amino alkyl residues of various lengths at the narrow rim were synthesized. Reaction with dichlorotriazinyl (DCT) functionalized magnetic particles led to complete coverage of the available surface by covalently linked CMPO-calix[4]arenes in all cases. Magnetically assisted removal of Eu(iii) and Am(iii) from acidic solutions was distinctly more efficient with these particles in comparison to analogous particles bearing the same amount of analogous single-chain CMPO-functions. The best result, an increase of the extraction efficiency by a factor of 140-160, was obtained for attachment via two propyl spacers. The selectivity Am/Eu was in the range of 1.9-2.8. No decrease of the extraction ability was observed, when the particles were repeatedly used, after simple back extraction with water.

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 a cyclic array of 24 NH.O==C hydrogen bonds and four NH.pi interactions. Four acetamide groups are hydrogen-bonded to each other and pack tightly in the center of the assembly. All polar residues are buried inside the tetramer, the surface of which is lipophilic. Extensive NMR studies revealed similar structures in apolar solvents such as [D]chloroform or [D(6)]benzene for calixacetamides 2 a-c. The formation of these tetramers in solution is critically dependent on the size of the amide fragment, so that propionamide 2 d, butyramide 2 e, and p-tolylamide 2 f form only ill-defined aggregates. This is caused by steric crowding inside the tetrameric assembly. The tetramers persist during molecular dynamics simulations, and the optimized average structure of the MD run is similar to that found in the crystalline state. Theoretical studies revealed that cooperation of hydrogen bonds with multiple NH.pi, C--H.pi, and pi.pi attractions make the tetramer more stable than the capsular dimer with the solvent as guest. In the presence of tetraethylammonium salts, however, compounds 2 a-e form dimeric capsular assemblies, each incorporating a single ammonium cation. Only one of two possible regioisomeric dimers is formed, in which both acetamide groups are surrounded by two urea residues. These examples give striking evidence of how self-assembly in solution can be strongly dependent on subtle structural factors and of how the formation of dimeric capsules can be induced by the presence of an appropriate guest.

Modification of calix[4]arenes with CMPO-functions at the wide rim. Synthesis, solution behavior, and separation of actinides from lanthanides.

Two calix[4]arene tetraethers (Y = C5H11, C14H29) bearing on their wide rim four -N(Me)-CO-CH2-P(O)Ph2 residues were synthesized for the first time. Their ability to extract lanthanides and actinides from an acidic aqueous phase to organic phases (CH2Cl2, NPHE) was studied. In comparison to the corresponding -NH-analogs, they are less efficient extractants, the selectivity for the light over the heavy lanthanides is less pronounced, while there is still an interesting selectivity of Am3+ over Eu3+. Stability constants for selected lanthanide salts were determined also in homogenous phase (methanol, acetonitrile) but do not account for the different extraction results. The complexation of Gd3+ was also followed by relaxivity (NM RD) measurements, which suggest an even stronger aggregation for the N-methyl compound while the 1:1 complex is reached for a smaller ratio [L]/[Gd3+] compared to the NH analog. The formation of aggregates is also supported by dynamic light scattering measurements. A single crystal X-ray structure of the pentyl ether reveals a C2-symmetrical pinched cone conformation for the free ligand.

Self-assembled dimers with supramolecular chirality.

The possibilities to form dimeric capsules with supramolecular chirality from tetraurea calix[4]arenes composed of two different phenolic urea units are discussed in general and demonstrated experimentally for various selected examples.