New chiral upper and lower rim (R)-binaphthyl-bridged
calix[4]arenes in the cone conformation
(5, 10, 11, 15,
17, 18) have been synthesized by exploiting the
selective functionalization of the
calix[4]arene skeleton. The conformational properties
of the new hosts in CDCl3 and
DMSO-d
6
have been clarified by dynamic NMR measurements, and their complexation
properties toward
neutral molecules, alkali metal, and silver(I) cations have been
explored. The upper rim binaphthyl-bridged calix[4]arene 5 is able to form a 1:1
complex with Ag+ in
CDCl3:CD3OD 1:1 v/v solution,
where the silver cation is encapsulated into the apolar cavity.
The determined association constant
(log K = 3.51) is substantially higher than for unbridged
calix[4]arenes in the cone
conformation.
These new macrobicyclic compounds are potential hosts for chiral
recognition and catalysis.