Compared with simple ion receptors, ion pair receptors display significantly enhanced affinity to ions through allosteric effects and additional electrostatic interactions between the bound ions, as well as host-guest interactions. Taken in concert, these necessarily permit a higher level of control over ion recognition and transport than that obtainable from simple ion binding. However, in spite of their potential applications in various fields, such as salt solublization, extraction, and membrane transport, ion pair receptors, which are able to form simultaneous complexation with an anion and a cation, still remains in a relatively unexplored area in supramolecular chemistry. This dissertation describes efforts to develop such systems on the basis of calix[4]arenes and calix[4]pyrroles. Calix[4]pyrroles and calix[4]arene derivatives bearing crown ethers or ester groups are known to act as efficient receptors for anions and cations, respectively. Therefore, the synthetic combination or modification of these two macrocyclic subunits provides an entry into novel ion pair receptors. The focus of this dissertation is on matched systems that form strong and specific complexes with cesium or potassium salts, depending on the exact structure in question. The selectivity demonstrated by these receptors is ascribed to a tuning of the cation recognition sites and control of the calix[4]arene conformation. Solid state structural and 1H NMR spectroscopic analyses reveal that potassium and cesium cations are bound to different sites within these ion pair receptors. A strong dependence on the counter anion (e.g., fluoride, chloride and nitrate) is also seen. In some cases this dependence is near-absolute, thus mimicking AND logic gates. Noticeably, the ion pair receptor consisting of a 1,3-alterate calix[4]arene crown-5 and a calix[4]pyrrole is able to extract various cesium and potassium salts from a water phase into an organic phase in various binding modes, depending on the counter anions. Furthermore, the extraction behavior of this ion pair receptor towards such ion pairs can be controlled by cation switching and the use of different solvents. / text

A series of lanthanide complexes, {[CpCo(P=O(OR)2)3]2Ln(H2O)x}+Cl- (Ln = Nd, Eu, Tb, Yb; R = Et, Ph), (Kläui)2Ln, were prepared. The related complex {[CpCo(P=O(OPh)2)3]2Yb}+ [CoCl3(THF)]- was crystallographically characterized and the cation in this case was confirmed to be 6-coordinate and solvent free. To determine the Kläui complexes potential as magnetic resonance (MR) imaging agents, ligand exchange rates between the d0- and d60-isotopomers of the Kläui lanthanide complexes were determined in acetonitrile by electrospray mass spectrometry. The ligand exchange rate was found to increase by almost 4-orders of magnitude from the smallest (Yb) to largest ion (Nd) in acetonitrile. Additionally, the ligand exchange rate increased rapidly for the Tb complex with increasing water concentration. Changing the phosphite substituent had no significant impact on the rate of ligand exchange for R = Ph relative to R = Et. Modification to the phosphite substituents to decrease ligand exchange was unsuccessful indicating that these ligands were not suitable as MR imaging agents. Oxazoline based ligands are known to complex lanthanide ions, however, most of these complexes undergo rapid ligand exchange when not in water solution. Several novel oxazoline based ligands with increased chelation to stop ligand exchange were designed. During the course of their synthesis it was discovered that these ligands were too unstable to be used in vivo and this ligand set was abandoned for a more stable alternative. A series of ligands based on a calix[4]arene scaffold were developed. Through modifications to the upper rim of the calix[4]arene scaffold a mono, di, and tri substituted catechol calix[4]arene were designed. After the mono-catechol tri-sulfonated calix[4]arene was found to decompose in solution the catechol substituent was determined to be too reactive for use as a contrast agent. An upper rim tetra substituted iminodiacetic acid calix[4]arene was synthesized. Upon addition of the lanthanide a coordination polymer was likely forming. Using a dye displacement assay it was found that this ligand was not able to out-compete the dye for metal chelation and would not be suitable for MR use. Using established Suzuki chemistry, DO3A functionality was incorporated onto a tri-sulfonated calix[4]arene scaffold. Using a dye displacement assay it was found that the stability constant KML of this complex was similar to DO3A at pH 8.35. At pH 3.99 it was found that no displacement occurred, most likely due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding. / Graduate / 0488 / kjallen@uvic.ca

Role of N-methylated lysines (K) and arginines (R) was underappreciated for a long time before the turn of the century. With the help of new emerging technologies, their crucial role in chromatin regulation was established and now their mention when discussing gene regulation is almost a given. Despite this, much about how they contribute to the cellular chemistry is still to be discovered. There is a major gap in current knowledge base due to an incomplete list of possible lysine and arginine methylation sites. This is because of their low copy number inside the cell which makes it difficult to detect them. New methylation sites are being added every day. This thesis aims to provide a solution to this problem by establishing methods that can help detect N-methylated lysines and argnines that are present in really low quantity inside the cell. The work is influenced by a previously established fact that p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene binds methylated lysine over unmethylated ones. We have first attempted to improve this native affinity by decorating the calix[4]arene skeleton with different substituents. To this effect, we have developed methods for regioselective functionalization of calix[4]arene scaffold and then studied their effect on its binding profile against a set of test peptides derived from proteins found in vivo. We then demonstrate a proof-of-concept enrichment method using selected molecules from our inventory. We use these calix[4]arene based molecules as a stationary phase modifier in a chromatography setup and then show that it can separate peptides based on presence of N-methylated lysines and arginines. We propose that introduction of such a method would improve the visibility of low level N-methylated peptides by removing the bulk of back ground unmethylated analytes and thus improving their signal strength. Finally, we establish the utility of this method by showing that more N-methylated lysines are detected from a real-world proteomics sample prepared using our enrichment method. This work opens new avenues for use of supramolecular chemistry in proteomics studies. We believe that this thesis is a confident demonstration that host-guest chemistry can help expand the existing knowledge about bimolecular processes found in vivo and must be explored further. / Graduate / 2021-12-23

The characteristics of seventy-six calix[4]arene crystal structures derived from the Cambridge Crystallographic Database are presented. This survey is a discussion of the inter and intramolecular effects on the solid state cavity shape and molecular recognition ability of the compounds. In addition to this survey, four new calix[4]arene crystal structures are presented. The conformational characteristics of these four calixarenes are determined by a complicated array of inter and intramolecular interactions in the crystal packing.

Voir fichier joint.

Molecular capsules consist of two or more molecules that bind through either covalent or noncovalent interactions to form a structure with an internal void capable of containing guest molecules. These capsules can be used in catalysis/biocatalysis, in drug transport and delivery, in supramolecular arrays, and to stabilize reactive intermediates. Cavitands and calix[4]arenes are two types of macrocycles that have been used to form molecular capsules. Cavitands are used to form capsules called carceplexes, hemicarceplexes, and hemicarcerands through covalent bonds when two molecules are bridged together rim to rim. Calix[4]arene derivatives self-assemble reversibly through noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding and ionic bonding to form capsules. Capsules formed form cavitands and calix[4]arenes have been shown to encapsulate a variety of guest molecules in nonpolar solvents. In order for the capsules to be used for biological applications, the capsules need to encapsulate guest molecules in water. There are only a few examples of capsules that encapsulate guests in polar solvents. Calix[4]arenes derivatives substituted with charged substituents on the upper rim and propyl groups on the lower rim were synthesized. These derivatives dimerize through ionic interactions in polar solvents forming both heterodimers and homodimers. These dimers will be used to encapsulate various guest molecules. Although the ionic propoxycalix[4]arene monomers are water-soluble, the heterodimers are not. This is due to the shielding of the charges upon assembly leaving only the propyl groups on the lower rim exposed to the polar solvent. To increase dimer solubility in water, calix[4]arene derivatives are being synthesized with hydroxy ethyl groups instead of the propyl groups on the lower rim. When the charged hydroxyethoxycalix[4]arene derivatives dimerize, the alcohols will be exposed to the polar solvent instead of the propyl groups increasing the water-solubility of the capsules.

Calixarenes, particularly calix[4]arenes, continue to attract considerable attention in synthetic chemistry, notably as platforms for designing sophisticated molecular cages and claw-like ligands. Incorporation of phosphorus containing fragments into the calix[4]arene framework gives rise to new class of phosphorus ligands, called “calixphosphines”, a class of molecules that combine a catalytic center (a transition metal) and a molecular receptor. This area of research has been growing rapidly in recent years. This thesis deals with the synthesis and a systematic study of conformational aspects of phosphorus functionalized calix[4]arene ligands and their palladium complexes. Several phosphorus functionalized calix[4]arene ligands and their (allyl) palladium complexes have been synthesized. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectroscopic data. The molecular structures of some representative compounds have been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Chapter 1 provides a brief overview of phosphorus functionalized calix[4]arenes and their transition metal chemistry with emphasis on aspects related to the theme of the present study. The scope and aim of the present investigation is outlined at the end of this chapter. Chapter 2 presents the results obtained in the present investigation and a discussion of these results, especially spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic data. The highlights of the present investigation and possible future directions are summarized at the end of this chapter. Chapter 3 contains relevant details of the experimental procedures for the synthesis of calix[4]arene phosphite ligands and their palladium complexes. Spectroscopic and analytical data of these compounds are also given in this chapter. The details of single crystal diffraction studies are included at the end of this chapter. The references to the literature are compiled at the end of the thesis and are indicated in the text by appropriate numbers appearing as superscripts. The compounds synthesized in the present study are represented by bold arabic numerals. The abbreviations employed in this thesis are those generally used in Chemical Abstracts.

La réalisation d'une transformation chimique dans un espace confiné constitue pour les chimistes molécularistes un véritable défi. Des recherches récentes ont montré que des réactions se déroulant dans une poche ou une cavité moléculaire étaient de nature à engendrer des sélectivités nouvelles et faciliter des réactions thermodynamiquement défavorables. L'association métal-cavité permet également le déroulement de processus catalytiques en milieu aqueux, dès lors que la cavité a été rendue hydrosoluble.L’objectif de cette thèse était de préparer des ligands originaux intégrant une ou plusieurs cavités moléculaires de type calix[4]arène et d’en étudier les propriétés complexantes. L’ensemble des calixarènes synthétisés sont porteurs d’un ou plusieurs groupes PPh2 directement liés au bord supérieur du macrocycle. Plusieurs types de molécules ont été préparées : (i) des bis-calixarènes formant, après complexation, des métallo-capsules; (ii) des calixar!ène-diphosphines adaptées à la formation de complexes bimétalliques dans lesquels les centres métalliques sont placés entre deux coquilles se faisant face. L’activité catalytique de certains de ces métallo-capsules est jusqu’à 40 fois supérieurs à celle observé pour un catalyseur classique.La dernière partie de cette thèse a pour objectif de mettre à la disposition des spécialistes de la chimie des surfaces des phosphacalixarènes originaux destinés à la confection de supports solides P(III)-fonctionnalisés et donc de nouveaux catalyseurs supportés. / The realization of a chemical transformation in a confined space is for molecularist chemists a challenge. Recent research has shown that reactions occurring in a pocket or a molecular cavity were such as to generate selectivities and facilitate new thermodynamically unfavorable reactions.The metal-cavity association allows also the course of catalytic processes in aqueous medium, when the cavity has been made water soluble.The objective of this thesis was to prepare original ligands incorporating one or more cavities of molecular type calix[4]arene and to study their complexing properties. All the synthesized calixarenes are carriers of one or more groups PPh2 directly related to the upper rim of the macrocycle.Several types of molecules were prepared: (i) bis-calixarenes forming, after complexation, metallocapsules, (ii) calixarene-diphosphines suitable for the formation of bimetallic complexes in which the metal centers between two shells are placed facing each other. The catalytic activity of some of these metallo-capsules is 40 times higher than that observed for a conventional catalyst.The last part of this thesis aims to make available experts in surface chemistry of the original phosphacalixarenes for making solid supports P (III)-functionalized and thus new supported catalysts

Die bisher gängigen PVC-Membranen ionenselektiver Elektroden weisen eine Reihe von Schwachstellen auf: Sie haften nur durch Adhäsion am Substrat, sodass sich bei miniaturisierten Elektroden die Membran ablösen kann; Membranbestandteile wie der Weichmacher, das Ionophor oder der Ionenaustauscher können bei der Verwendung ausgewaschen werden, sodass sich die chemischen und physikalischen Eigenschaften der Membran verschlechtern; auf der Membranoberfläche kann sich auf Grund ihrer Hydrophobie ein Biofilm ausbilden, der die Membran abschirmt. Diese Schwachstellen bewirken eine Dysfunktionalität der ionenselektiven Elektrode, weshalb im Rahmen dieser Arbeit ein Glycopolymerfilm entwickelt worden ist, der diese Schwachstellen nicht aufweist. Die in dieser Arbeit entwickelte Membran, die auf einem multifunktionalen Glycopolymer beruht, zielt auf die Egalisierung der Schwachstellen konventioneller ionenselektiver PVC-Membranen. Die entwickelte Membran kommt dabei ohne Weichmacher aus, reduziert die Ausbildung von Biofilmen, bindet kovalent an das darunterliegende organische Substrat und durch die kovalente Anbindung des Ionophors wird dessen Auswaschen verhindert. Um eine kovalente Bindung der Membran an organische Vermittlerschichten zu erreichen, wie sie bei All-solid-state-Elektroden zum Einsatz kommen, werden zunächst die photovernetzbaren Glycopolymere 12a–c entwickelt, bei denen etwa neun Photovernetzereinheiten über PEG-Spacer an den PEI25-Kern gebunden sind. Drei PEG-Spacer mit unterschiedlicher Länge werden hinsichtlich ihres Einflusses auf die Filmbildung untersucht: Sie besitzen vier (12a), acht (12b) und zwölf Ethylenglycoleinheiten (12c). Dabei zeigt sich, dass eine Spacerlänge von zwölf Ethylenglycoleinheiten für eine effektive Photovernetzung notwendig ist, weshalb für die folgenden Strukturen nur PEG12-Spacer eingesetzt werden. Um eine kovalente Anbindung des Ionophors an das Glycopolymer zu erreichen, werden verschiedene Syntheserouten genutzt und auf ihre Wirkung hin analysiert. Die frühe direkte Anbindung des Calix[4]arenderivats 3 an den PEI25-Kern der Glycopolymere 17a–c erweist sich als nachteilig, da hierdurch darauffolgende Syntheseschritte beeinträchtigt werden. Anderseits zeigen diese Glycopolymere, dass sich die Calix[4]areneinheiten nicht negativ auf die Glycopolymerfilmbildung auswirken. Zur Überwindung der erwähnten Probleme werden in den multifunktionalen Glycopolymeren 22a und 22b die Calix[4]arene wie der Photovernetzer am Ende der Syntheseroute über PEG12-Spacer angebunden. Dies erfolgt dabei über den upper rim des Calix[4]arens, da somit der lower rim, an dem sich ionenkomplexierenden Gruppen befinden, nicht beeinflusst wird. Neben der Struktur des Glycopolymers wird auch eine Methode zur Glycopolymerfilmbildung auf Modellsubstraten entwickelt. Hierfür werden Siliziumwafer mit einer hydrophilen organischen Vermittlerschicht aus (3-Glycidyloxypropyl)-trimethoxysilan (GOPS) eingesetzt. Bei der Filmbildung zeigt sich, dass die alleinige Bestrahlung mit UV-Licht nicht ausreichend ist, um eine stabile Vernetzung zu generieren. Erst nach vorausgehendem Tempern (1 h bei 120 °C) werden Filme mit einer Dicke von (42±8) nm für das Glycopolymer 12c erhalten. Die Glycopolymere 12a und 12b, die kürzere PEG-Spacer enthalten, bilden deutlich dünnere Filme aus. Für die vollständige Vernetzung ist eine Bestrahlungszeit von einer Stunde notwendig, was einer Energiedosis von etwa 290 J/cm² entspricht. Trotz möglicher freier Aminogruppen in der Struktur bilden die Glycopolymere 17a–c, bei denen unterschiedlich viele Calix[4]arene direkt an den PEI25-Kern gebunden sind, stabile Filme aus. Die sich ergebenden Schichtdicken zeigen dabei weder im Vergleich zum Glycopolymer 12c noch untereinander signifikante Unterschiede. Die Filmbildung auf dem hydrophilen GOPS wird demzufolge durch die direkt angebundenen Calix[4]arene nicht beeinträchtigt. Auf Grund des erwarteten amphiphilen Charakters der Glycopolymere 17a–c wird ihre Filmbildung nicht nur auf hydrophilen, sondern auch auf hydrophoben Modellsubstraten untersucht. Hierzu werden Siliziumwafer mit hydrophoben Vermittlerschichten aus Benzophenonsilan (BPS) und Poly-α-methylstyrol (PαMS) eingesetzt. Auf den hydrophoben Vermittlerschichten bilden die Glycopolymere 17a–c deutlich dünnere Filme aus als auf dem hydrophilen GOPS. Die Calix[4]areneinheiten sind demnach durch die Maltosehülle abgeschirmt und es treten kaum Wechselwirkungen mit den hydrophoben Substratoberflächen auf. Im Gegensatz dazu ermöglicht die Anbindung der Calix[4]arene über PEG12-Spacer den Glycopolymeren 22a und 22b auf hydrophilen wie hydrophoben Vermittlerschichten in etwa gleich dicke Filme auszubilden. Offensichtlich liegt bei diesen Glycopolymeren eine amphiphile Peripherie vor, sodass sich die Glycopolymere besonders zur Beschichtung von All-solid-state-Elektroden mit verschiedenen Mediatorschichten eignen. Die photovernetzten Glycopolymerfilme quellen auf Grund ihrer hydrophilen Eigenschaften. Der Quellungsgrad q liegt dabei niedriger, wenn hydrophobe Calix[4]arene in die Struktur eingebunden sind: q(17c) = 2,3 im Vergleich zu q(12c) = 3,6. Erfolgt die Anbindung der Calix[4]arene direkt an den PEI25-Kern, ist die Glycopolymerstruktur unflexibel, sodass der Quellungsprozess bis zu sieben Stunden benötigt. Durch die Anbindung der Calix[4]arene über PEG12-Spacer wird die Flexibilität der Glycopolymere hingegen nicht beeinträchtigt, sodass der Quellungsprozess weniger als zwei Stunden benötigt. PVC-Membranen verlieren schon nach kurzer Zeit ihre ionenselektiven Eigenschaften, weil etwa der Weichmacher aus den Membranen diffundiert und diese dadurch spröde werden. Die Glycopolymerfilme sind hingegen über einen Zeitraum von mindestens 100 Tagen gegenüber sauren (pH = 4), neutralen und basischen (pH = 10) Lösungen stabil. Die entwickelten Glycopolymere werden im Rahmen einer Kooperation mit dem Kurt-Schwabe-Institut (KSI) in Meinsberg auf All-solid-state-Elektroden als ionenselektive Membranen eingesetzt. Die Graphitelektroden werden dafür mit einer Mediatorschicht aus leitfähigem Polypyrrol (PPy) und dem Glycopolymer 17c beschichtet. Die All-solid-state-Elektroden werden hinsichtlich ihres Ansprechverhaltens gegenüber verschiedenen Ionen untersucht. Die Anbindung und Vernetzung erfolgt nach der für die Modellsubstrate optimierten Methode. Jedoch werden die Bedingungen für das Tempern angepasst, um eine Beschädigung der All-solid-state-Elektrode auszuschließen: 12 h bei 45 °C statt 1 h bei 120 °C. Dabei bildet sich ein inhomogener Belag aus, bei dem Teile der PPy-Schicht frei bleiben. Im Vergleich zur reinen und zur mit Polypyrrol (PPy) beschichteten Graphitelektrode zeigt die Elektrode, die mit einem Glycopolymerfilm versehen ist, trotz der Inhomogenität stabile und reproduzierbare Potentiale. Diese sind jedoch nicht von der Konzentration der Kationen, sondern von der der Anionen abhängig. Durch die Auftragung einer Ionentauscherschicht auf die ionenselektive Membran soll das Vordringen der Anionen in die Membran der All-solid-state-Elektrode unterbunden werden. Dadurch soll das Ansprechverhalten der All-solid-state-Elektrode auf die Kationen gelenkt werden. Entsprechende Arbeiten werden am KSI durchgeführt.

Cette thèse apporte une contribution au développement de complexes carbènes N-hétérocycliques-palladium basés sur des calix[4]arènes: leur synthèse, leur caractérisation ainsi que l'évaluation de leur activité catalytique est presenté. Pour cela, un calix[4]arène mono-substitué a été préparé conformément aux procédures classiques, puis les précurseurs de nouveaux ligands NHC ont été obtenus. Subissant l'alkylation avec du n-butylbromide et puis une métallation subséquente avec du palladium et de la pyridine, quatorze nouveaux complexes ont été obtenus. Après les caractérisations complètes en solution et à l'état solide, l'évaluation de l'activité catalytique a été réalisée dans réactions couplage de Suzuki-Miyaura. De bonnes performances ont pu être observées permettant d'obtenir des taux de transformation de 99% avec des quantités de catalyseur descandant jusqu'à 0.08 mol%. L'étude de conformation ainsi que les résultats catalytiques en catalyse n'ont pas permis de mettre en évidence un effet supramoléculaire de la cavité macrocyclique envers le processus de couplage. Dans le but d'orienter le centre catalytique à l'intérieur de la cavité, des contraintes stériques ont été appliquées sur des nouveaux Pd-NHC-complexes. Ainsi des complexes dimeriques de palladium ont été synthétisés et entièrement caractérisés. Plusieurs approches pour construire des linkers intramoléculaires permettant de fixer la conformation ont été énvisagées mais n'ont pas permis à ce jour un gel conformationnel / This thesis will focus on development of N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes based on calix[4]arenes: from synthesis, characterization and structural study to evaluation of catalytic activity. A new series of calix[4]arene supported N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes was developed and fully characterized. A mono-substituted calix[4]arene was prepared through conventional procedures, following with the attachment of imidazolyl derivative groups to compose the precursors of novel NHCs ligands. Undergoing the alkylation with n-butylbromide and corresponding metallation with palladium and pyridine, original complexes were obtained. After a full characterization in solution and solid state, the evaluation of catalytic activity was undertaken through Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions which revealed good performances. The conformational study as well as the catalytic results in catalysis did not allow putting in evidence a supramolecular effect of the macrocycle cavity towards the coupling process. With the aim of localize catalytic center inside of the cavity, steric constrain was involved in the form of new Pd-NHC-complexes. Dimeric Pd complexes were synthesized and fully characterized as well. Several approaches to construct intramolecular linkers for fixing the conformation were elaborated. The conception of ‘flexible steric bulky’ inspired the research on confined structure of calix[4]arene, such as encapsulation and capped configuration. Relative progresses were carried out and discussed