BTBPs versus BTPhens: some reasons for their differences in properties concerning the partitioning of minor actinides and the advantages of BTPhens.

Two members of the tetradentate N-donor ligand families 6,6'-bis(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine (BTBP) and 2,9-bis(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (BTPhen) currently being developed for separating actinides from lanthanides have been studied. It has been confirmed that CyMe4-BTPhen 2 has faster complexation kinetics than CyMe4-BTBP 1. The values for the HOMO-LUMO gap of 2 are comparable with those of CyMe4-BTBP 1 for which the HOMO-LUMO gap was previously calculated to be 2.13 eV. The displacement of BTBP from its bis-lanthanum(III) complex by BTPhen was observed by NMR, and constitutes the only direct evidence for the greater thermodynamic stability of the complexes of BTPhen. NMR competition experiments suggest the following order of bis-complex stability: 1:2 bis-BTPhen complex ≥ heteroleptic BTBP/BTPhen 1:2 bis-complex > 1:2 bis-BTBP complex. Kinetics studies on some bis-triazine N-donor ligands using the stopped-flow technique showed a clear relationship between the rates of metal ion complexation and the degree to which the ligand is preorganized for metal binding. The BTBPs must overcome a significant (ca. 12 kcal mol(-1)) energy barrier to rotation about the central biaryl C-C axis in order to achieve the cis-cis conformation that is required to form a complex, whereas the cis-cis conformation is fixed in the BTPhens. Complexation thermodynamics and kinetics studies in acetonitrile show subtle differences between the thermodynamic stabilities of the complexes formed, with similar stability constants being found for both ligands. The first crystal structure of a 1:1 complex of CyMe4-BTPhen 2 with Y(NO3)3 is also reported. The metal ion is 10-coordinate being bonded to the tetradentate ligand 2 and three bidentate nitrate ions. The tetradentate ligand is nearly planar with angles between consecutive rings of 16.4(2)°, 6.4(2)°, 9.7(2)°, respectively.

Complexation of lanthanides, actinides and transition metal cations with a 6-(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine ligand: implications for actinide(III)/lanthanide(III) partitioning.

The quadridentate N-heterocyclic ligand 6-(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-yl)-2,2' : 6',2''-terpyridine (CyMe(4)-hemi-BTBP) has been synthesized and its interactions with Am(III), U(VI), Ln(III) and some transition metal cations have been evaluated by X-ray crystallographic analysis, Am(III)/Eu(III) solvent extraction experiments, UV absorption spectrophotometry, NMR studies and ESI-MS. Structures of 1:1 complexes with Eu(III), Ce(III) and the linear uranyl (UO(2)(2+)) ion were obtained by X-ray crystallographic analysis, and they showed similar coordination behavior to related BTBP complexes. In methanol, the stability constants of the Ln(III) complexes are slightly lower than those of the analogous quadridentate bis-triazine BTBP ligands, while the stability constant for the Yb(III) complex is higher. (1)H NMR titrations and ESI-MS with lanthanide nitrates showed that the ligand forms only 1:1 complexes with Eu(III), Ce(III) and Yb(III), while both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes were formed with La(III) and Y(III) in acetonitrile. A mixture of isomeric chiral 2:2 helical complexes was formed with Cu(I), with a slight preference (1.4:1) for a single directional isomer. In contrast, a 1:1 complex was observed with the larger Ag(I) ion. The ligand was unable to extract Am(III) or Eu(III) from nitric acid solutions into 1-octanol, except in the presence of a synergist at low acidity. The results show that the presence of two outer 1,2,4-triazine rings is required for the efficient extraction and separation of An(III) from Ln(III) by quadridentate N-donor ligands.

Recognition of some lanthanides, actinides, and transition- and heavy-metal cations by N-donor ligands: thermodynamic and kinetic aspects.

The remarkable actinide(III) selectivity of the polyaromatic N-donors bis-triazine-pyridines (BTPs), hemi-bis-triazine-pyridines (hemi-BTPs) and bis-triazine-bipyridines (BTBPs) make these ligands the most promising candidates in partitioning and transmutation processes developed so far to better manage nuclear waste. The interactions of n-Pr-BTP, C(5)-hemi-BTP, and the two most extensively investigated BTBPs (C(5)-BTBP and CyMe(4)-BTBP) have been studied with some representative lanthanide(III), uranyl, thorium, and transition- and other heavy-metal cations in methanol. The formation of complexes of different stoichiometries, the stability of which depended on both the ligands and the cations, was shown using UV absorption spectrophotometry. Study of the complexation reactions of La(3+), Eu(3+) and Yb(3+) with these four ligands by stopped-flow spectrophotometry allowed determination of the rate constants and postulation of possible complexation mechanisms.

A hydrosoluble triphenylene that preferentially binds acetylcholine, epibatidine, and nicotine.

Synthesis and binding properties of a new hydrosoluble triphenylene 1b are reported. Selective recognition of acetylcholine (ACh) against other aliphatic ammoniums is achieved by this flat receptor, which also forms complexes with epibatidine and nicotine. Ionic pairing and hydrophobic effects between host 1b and ACh are studied by infrared spectroscopy.

Macrocyclic hexaureas: synthesis, conformation, and anion binding.

Five macrocylic compounds XXXXXX, XXDXXD, XDXDXD, XDDXDD, and DDDDDD with 48-membered rings, in which six xanthene and/or diphenyl ether fragments are linked through six urea (-NH-C(O)-NH-) groups, have been synthesized. In the cyclization step, a linear diamine was allowed to react with the appropriate diisocyanate by using a [5+1] (i.e., "XDXDX+D" for XDXDXD), [4+2] (DDDDDD), or [3+3] (XDDXDD) procedure. Compounds XXXXXX and XXDXXD were prepared from two molecules of the dimeric amine XX and two molecules of the respective monomeric diisocyanate (X or D) in a [2+1+2+1] (or 2x[2+1]) reaction. The (nonoptimized) yields in the cyclization step ranged from 45 to 80%. The linear precursor diamines or diisocyanates were obtained by analogous condensation reactions by using partial protection with a tert-butoxycarbonyl group. All the macrocyclic compounds and synthetic intermediates were characterized by (1)H NMR and mass spectra. Three different crystal structures were obtained for XDDXDD, which show the molecule in a more or less strongly folded conformation determined by intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The interaction of the hexaureas with selected anions was studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and UV absorption spectrophotometry.

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 bonds for the two structures of XXXD, but surprisingly no direct intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the macrocyclic tetraurea molecules. The interaction with various anions was studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Stability constants for all tetramers were determined by UV spectroscopy for complexes with chloride, bromide, acetate and dihydrogenphosphate in acetonitrile-THF (3:1). The strongest binding was found for XXXD and acetate (log beta = 7.4 +/- 0.2), the weakest for XXXX and acetate (log beta = 5.1 +/- 0.5). MD simulations in chloroform and acetonitrile boxes show that all molecules except DDDD adopt very similar conformations characterized by an up-down-up-down arrangement of the spacer groups. Clustered solvation shells of acetonitrile molecules around XXXX and DDDD suggest their preorganization for spherical/planar and tetrahedral/bidentate anions, respectively, which in turn was corroborated by simulation of the corresponding complexes with chloride and dihydrogenphosphate.

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 studied by 1H NMR. Complexation constants for chloride, bromide and acetate have been measured for all trimers by UV spectrophotometry. Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out to determine the conformation of the free receptors in chloroform and acetonitrile. They show that in chloroform, intramolecular hydrogen bonding occasionally facilitated by trans-->cis isomerisation of an amide bond dominates the conformation of the macrocycles while in acetonitrile (the solvent used for complexation measurements), the ligating urea NH protons are properly arranged for the complexation of anions, however, their strong solvation is counteractive to the complexation.

Complexation of oxoanions and cationic metals by the biscatecholate siderophore azotochelin.

Azotochelin is a biscatecholate siderophore produced by the nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii. The complexation properties of azotochelin with a series of oxoanions [Mo(VI), W(VI) and V(V)] and divalent cations [Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Mn(II)] were investigated by potentiometry, UV-vis and X-ray spectroscopy. Azotochelin forms a strong 1:1 complex with molybdate (log K=7.6+/-0.4) and with tungstate and vanadate; the stability of the complexes increases in the order Mo

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.

Synthesis and binding properties of calix[4]arenes with [2 + 2'] mixed ligating functional groups.

A series of mixed [2 + 2'] p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene have been synthesised by selective 1,3-dialkylation of phenolic groups using various alkylating agents such as benzyl bromide, methyl iodide, ethyl bromoacetate, and 2-methoxyethyl tosylate. The extraction and complexation properties of the synthesized calixarenes towards alkali and alkaline earth metal cations have been investigated in acetonitrile by means of UV spectrophotometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results show the formation of ML and/or ML2 species depending on the ligand and the cation. The enthalpies and entropies of complexation of alkali metal cations by a tetraglycol, diglycol-dibenzyl and diglycol-diester derivatives have been obtained from calorimetric measurements. The results revealed that the formation of ML species is controlled by enthalpy while the formation of ML2 from ML is entropy driven.

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.

Cation Complexation by Chemically Modified Calixarenes. 11. Complexation and Extraction of Alkali Cations by Calix[5]- and -[6]arene Ketones. Crystal and Molecular Structures of Calix[5]arene Ketones and Na(+) and Rb(+) Complexes.

A series of four calix[5]arenes and three calix[6]arenes (R-calixarene-OCH(2)COR(1)) (R = H or Bu(t)) with alkyl ketone residues (R(1) = Me or Bu(t)) on the lower rim have been synthesized, and their affinity for complexation of alkali cations has been assessed through phase-transfer experiments and stability constant measurements. The conformations of these ketones have been probed by (1)H NMR and X-ray diffraction analysis, and by molecular mechanics calculations. Pentamer 3 (R = R(1) = Bu(t)) possesses a symmetrical cone conformation in solution and a very distorted cone conformation in the solid state. Pentamer 5 (R = H, R(1) = Bu(t)) exists in a distorted 1,2-alternate conformation in the solid state, but in solution two slowly interconverting conformations, one a cone and the other presumed to be 1,2-alternate, can be detected. X-ray structure analysis of the sodium and rubidium perchlorate complexes of 3 reveal the cations deeply encapsulated by the ethereal and carbonyl oxygen atoms in distorted cone conformations which can be accurately reproduced by molecular mechanics calculations. The phase-transfer and stability constant data reveal that the extent of complexation depends on calixarene size and the nature of the alkyl residues adjacent to the ketonic carbonyls with tert-butyl much more efficacious than methyl.

Synthesis, Optical Resolution and Complexation Properties of Inherently Chiral Monoalkylated p-tert-Butyl-(1,2)-calix[4]crown Ethers.

Reaction of mono-O-alkylated calix[4]arenes 2 with tri- to pentaethylene glycol ditosylates and K(2)CO(3) affords asymmetrical (1,2)-calix[4]crown ether derivatives 3 as the main product, along with minor amounts of calix[4]arene dimers 4 and mixed syn-distal di-O-alkylated calix[4]arenes 5. A reaction mechanism for the formation of 3-5 is proposed, and the NMR spectral features of these products are briefly discussed. Evidence of the chirality of 3 was provided by diastereomeric interaction with enantiopure alkylammonium salts. The enantiomeric resolution of racemates 3 was achieved by direct HPLC separation, using chiral stationary phases. A screening of the complexing abilities of pyridino-(1,2)-calix[4]crown ethers 3a-c by extraction studies from water into CH(2)Cl(2) showed a low extraction level of alkali, alkaline earth, and heavy metal picrates, while up to 25% extraction was found for Ag(+). UV and pH-metric measurements of 3a-c with silver picrate in THF indicate the formation of 1:1:1 (metal:ligand:picrate) species, with log K's in the range 3.1-3.7.