1,3,5-Trisubstituted 2,4,6-triethylbenzenes consisting of isopropyl groups as recognition units have previously been shown to have interesting binding properties towards selected carbohydrates. The design of such artificial carbohydrate receptors was inspired by the mode of action of carbohydrate-binding proteins, namely by the participation of the isopropyl side chain of valine in the formation of van der Waals interactions with the carbohydrate substrate. This study aimed to investigate how the replacement of the isopropyl groups by other structural motifs, such as cycloalkyl groups of varying sizes (three to seven-membered rings), influences the binding properties of the acyclic compounds towards carbohydrates. The
H3 O(+) and OH(-) , formed by the self-ionization of two coordinating water molecules during the crystal growing of a host molecule [1,3,5-tris(hydroxymethyl)2,4,6-triethylbenzene (1)], could be effectively stabilized by hydrogen-bonding interactions with the preorganized hydroxy groups of three molecules of 1. The binding motifs observed in the complex (1)3 ⋅H3 O(+) ⋅HO(-) show remarkable similarity to those postulated for the hydrated hydronium and hydroxide ion complexes, which play important roles in various chemical, biological, and atmospheric processes, but their molecular structures are still not fully understood and remain a subject of intensive research.
The cyclopentyl group was expected to act as a building block for artificial carbohydrate receptors and to participate in van der Waals contacts with the carbohydrate substrate in a similar way as observed for the pyrrolidine ring of proline in the crystal structures of protein-carbohydrate complexes. Systematic binding studies with a series of 1,3,5-trisubstituted 2,4,6-triethylbenzenes bearing various cycloalkyl groups as recognition units provided indications of the involvement of these groups in the complexation process and showed the influence of the ring size on the receptor efficiency. Representatives of compounds that exhibit a macrocyclic backbone and flexible side arms were now chosen as further model systems to investigate whether the previously observed effects represent a general trend. Binding studies with these macrocycles towards β-D-glucopyranoside, an all-equatorial substituted carbohydrate substrate, included 1H NMR spectroscopic titrations and microcalorimetric investigations. The performed studies confirmed the previously observed tendency and showed that the compound bearing cyclohexyl groups displays the best binding properties.
In the title monohydrate compound, 1a, and the methanol solvate compound, 1b, the triethylbenzene derivative, C35H51N5O, has three functionalized side arms and three ethyl groups, the former being located on one side of the central benzene ring, while the latter are directed to the opposite side. Both the crystals are constructed of structurally similar dimers of 1:1 host–guest complexes held together by N—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds, and in 1a additionally by O—H...O hydrogen bonds. The structure of 1b contains additional highly disordered solvent molecules. Thus, the SQUEEZE routine [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18] in PLATON was used to generate a modified data set, in which the contribution of the disordered molecules to the structure amplitudes is eliminated. These solvent molecules are not considered in the reported chemical formula.
The new linker-type ligand 1, featuring two L-phenylalanine-terminated urea moieties attached to the para positions of a central phenylene unit has been synthesized. Its coordination polymer formed with lead(II) and containing DMF and water as solvent molecules has been prepared and structurally studied by X-ray crystallography.
Sixteen new bisurea compounds incorporating versatile proteinogenic amino acids as well as nipecotic acid have been synthesized via addition reaction to aryl diisocyanates. The products were analytically characterized and their ability for anion recognition was studied by UV/Vis spectroscopy. In the presence of fluoride, acetate or dihydrogenphosphate ions, hyperchromic and bathochromic peak shifts were determined. By way of contrast, bromide, iodide, or hydrogensulfate ions cause no significant change of absorbance. The special effect of heterocyclic derivatives was explained by molecular modeling calculations. In addition, the crystal structure of the byproduct dimethyl N,N′-(1,4-phenylene)dicarbamate is discussed.
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