Experimental and computational studies of anion recognition by pyridine-functionalised calixarenes

Abstract

Calix[4]arene-based receptors linked to amide and pyridine moieties have been synthesised in four steps from calix[4]arene, and characterised by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The recognition properties of these receptors towards different anions were evaluated using ¹H NMR and computational studies. The receptors show modest selectivities towards dihydrogen phosphate versus carboxylates.

Keywords:

• calixarene
• anion recognition
• receptor
• pyridine

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Professors K.N. Houk and Amar Flood for their helpful discussions. This research was supported by the Penn State Worthington Scranton Start-Up Fund and the NSF (CHE-1055795 to G.C.).

Notes

^1. Compound 7 (not as the TFA salt) has been previously synthesised (see Ref. (10)).