REGULAR PAPERS
Solvent Effect On The1H NMR Spectra Of A Pyridinocalix(4)Arene Derivative And Its Protonation Constants In Methanol
Danil de Namor, A. F.1; Aguilar Cornejo, A. F.1; Chahine, S.1; Nolan, K. B.2
1 Thermochemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Division,
School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK.
Fax: +44 1483 876851; Email: a.danil-de-namor@surrey.ac.uk
2 Department of Chemistry, Royal College of
Surgeons in Ireland, St
Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Received March 29, 2004. In final form June 29, 2004
Dedicated
to Prof. Pedro J.Aymonino on the occasion of his 65th birthday
Abstract
The solvent effect on the 1H NMR
spectra of 5, 11, 17, 23 tetra-tert-butyl-25, 26, 27, 28-tetra-[2-(4-pyridyl)
methoxy]calix(4) arene, 1c in a wide range of solvents with
different dielectric constants was investigated and the results are discussed. It is shown that the 1H NMR spectrum of this macrocycle is sensitive
to the nature of the solvent. In all solvents the ligand shows a distorted ‘cone’ conformation..The aromatic protons show the most significant deshielding
effect in acetonitrile, nitromethane and pyridine relative to chlroform, which
may be attributed to the interaction of these solvents
(acetonitrile,nitromethane) through their methyl groups with the hydrophobic
cavity of the ligand. For pyridine, p-p interactions between the pyridyl groups and this solvent may occur.
The protonation constants of this ligand in methanol
were derived from potentiometric titration data in this solvent. The results
are compared with those for structural isomers of 1c as well as with
those previously reported for lower rim calix(4)arene derivatives containing
aliphatic and alicyclic amines as pendant arms. Protonation constant data show
that the affinity of the latter to interact with the proton is greater than
that of the former macrocycle in methanol.
Final
conclusions are given.
Resumen
El efecto del solvente en los espectros 1H
RMN de 5, 11, 17, 23 tetra-tert-butilo-25, 26, 27,
28-tetra-[2-(4-piridil)metoxi]cálix(4)areno, 1c, en un amplio rango de
solventes con distintas constantes dieléctricas fue investigado y los
resultados son discutidos. Se muestra que el 1H RMN espectro de este
macrociclo es sensible a la naturaleza del solvente. En estos solventes la
conformación del ligando corresponde a un cono distorsionado. Los
desplazamientos químicos mas pronunciados de los protones aromáticos con
respecto a cloroformo son observados en acetonitrilo, nitrometano y piridina.
En los dos primeros solventes estos desplazamientos pueden ser atribuídos a una
interacción entre los grupos metilos de estos solventes con la cavidad
hidrofóbica del ligando. En piridina los resultados sugieren la posibilidad de
interacciones del tipo ππ. Las constantes de protonación de este
ligando en metanol fueron derivadas de datos obtenidos de titulaciones
potenciométricas en este solvente. Los resultados son comparados con aquellos
correspondiente al de un isómero estructural de 1c como también con
aquellos reportados en la literatura para derivados de calix(4)arenos
conteniendo aminas alifáticas y alicíclicas en el borde inferior del
macrociclo. Los valores de las constantes de protonación muestran que la
afinidad de estos últimos para interaccionar con el protón es mucho mayor que
aquellos correspondiente a los piridino-calix(4)arenos in metanol. Conclusiones finales son dadas.
Introduction
Calixarenes [1-5] are excellent platforms for the design of
receptors for binding ions and molecules. Depending of the nature of the
functional groups at the lower and upper rim, calixarene derivatives show
different and interesting complexing abilities.
Pyridinocalix(4)arenes (1a, 1b, 1c) have received considerable
attention in recent years. Three structural isomers of pyridinocalix(4)arenes
are known.
1a 1b 1c
The ability of these ligands to interact with hard and soft metal cations is largely dependent on the position of the nitrogen atoms of the pyridyl rings with respect to the ethereal oxygens. Thus in previous papers we have reported the solution properties of 2-pyridinocalix(4)arene (1a) and its structural isomer (1b) [7-9]. It was shown that while the former interacts with alkali-metal cations to form 1:1 (metal cation-ligand) complexes, the latter is unable to enter complexation with these cations. This was attributed to an increase in the distance between the pyridyl nitrogen and the ethereal oxygen in moving from 1a to 1b. X-ray crystallographic evidence of alkali-metal complexes of 1a have been reported [8]. As a continuation of this research the work goals of this paper are:
(i) To assess the effect of the solvent on the proton chemical shifts of 1c by carrying out 1H NMR measurements in various solvents at 298 K given that the presence of a hydrophobic cavity in calix(4)arene derivatives may permit interaction with the solvent molecules. It is therefore of considerable interest to investigate the extent in which the different donor-acceptor abilities of various solvents as well as other properties such as dielectric constant, dipole moments and other factors lead to shift changes in the 1H NMR signals of 4 pyridinocalix(4)arene that are proportional to the extent of the interaction.
(ii) Interaction of 1c with the proton by 1H NMR studies in CD3OD followed by the determination of the protonation constants in the same solvent at 298.15 K.
Experimental Part
The compound 5,11,17,23 – tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetra-[2-(4-pyridyl) methoxy]calix(4)arene, 1c, was synthesised and characterised as described elsewhere [10].
1H NMR measurements
This technique was used to investigate the interaction of a variety of solvents with 1c and to study the conformational changes that this ligand undergoes in these media. 1H NMR measurements were conducted at 300 MHz in the following deuterated solvents, chloroform (CDCl3), acetone (CD3COCD3), nitromethane (CD3NO2), benzene (C6D6), pyridine (C5D5N), methanol (CD3OD), nitromethane (CD3NO2) and dimethylsulfoxide (d6-DMSO) (all purchased from Aldrich), at 298 K. Solutions of the sample of interest were prepared in 1 cm3 in the appropriate deuterated solvent and placed in the 5 mm NMR tube using TMS as internal reference. 1H NMR data were processed using the NUTS program [11]. Chemical shifts (d ppm) and difference in the chemical shifts (Dd = d – dCDCl3 ppm) with respect to CDCl3 (as a reference solvent) were recorded.
Determination
of the protonation constants of 1c in methanol at 298.15 K.
These were
determined by potentiometry as discussed elsewhere [12].
Results and Discussion
(i) Interaction of 1c with the solvent: 1H NMR studies.
The interaction that occurs between a solvent molecule and the hydrophobic cavity of calyx(4)arene derivatives was described as ‘Allosteric effect’.[6] It is this kind of pre-organization of the hydrophilic cavity that contribute to the ability of the ligand to recognise selectively between its guests. This solvent-ligand interaction is best reflected by the difference in the chemical shifts of the hydrophobic cavity protons and those of the methylene bridging carbon in one solvent relative to another (reference solvent). Chemical shifts data for 1c in the different solvents investigated are given in Table 1 at 298 K According to these data, the difference in the chemical shifts between the axial (H-5) and equatorial (H-6) protons of the methylene bridging carbon (Ddax-eq = dax. – deq. ppm), suggest that in all cases 1c exhibits a distorted ‘cone’ conformation (Ddax-eq = 1.21, 1.17, 1.18, 1.24, 1.24, 1.12, 1.14 and 1.13 ppm in C6D6, CDCl3, C5D5N, CD3COCD3, CD3OD, CD3CN, CD3NO2 and d6-DMSO, respectively).
Table 1. Chemical shifts in ppm for the proton signals of 1c in different solvents at 298 K
Solventa |
Dielectric constant |
H-1 |
H-2 |
H-3 |
H-4 |
H-5b |
H-6c |
t-But |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C6D6 |
-2.27 |
8.52 |
6.98 |
6.95 |
4.63 |
4.17 |
2.96 |
1.21 |
CD3Cl |
4.81d |
8.47 |
7.22 |
6.78 |
4.85 |
4.12 |
2.95 |
1.08 |
C5D5N |
13.2 |
8.68 |
7.44 |
7.15 |
5.02 |
4.47 |
3.29 |
1.27 |
CD3COCD3 |
20.7 |
8.43 |
7.37 |
6.92 |
4.98 |
4.30 |
3.06 |
1.12 |
CD3OD |
32.6 |
8.34 |
7.42 |
6.91 |
4.94 |
4.30 |
3.06 |
1.11 |
CD3CN |
36.7 |
8.43 |
7.20 |
7.18 |
4.81 |
4.14 |
3.02 |
1.18 |
CD3NO2 |
38.6 |
8.45 |
7.30 |
7.19 |
4.93 |
4.28 |
3.11 |
1.16 |
d6-DMSO |
46.7 |
7.26 |
6.29 |
5.81 |
3.79 |
3.16 |
2.03 |
1.45 |
a Abbreviations used; benzene C6D6;
chloroform; CDCl3 pyridine, C5D5N; acetone; CD3COCD3;
methanol CD3OD, acetonitrile; CD3CN, nitromethane, CD3NO2;
dimethylsueforide; d6-DMSO
bH-5 = H axial bH-6
= H equatorial d determined at 293.15 K
On the other hand, a
quick inspection of the chemical shifts for H-1 and 2, as well as those of the
hydrophilic cavity, indicate that the nature of the solvent (protic or aprotic) [14, 15] is affecting both cavities.
Taking chloroform as the
reference solvent, chemical shift changes (Dd ppm) are calculated and
these are shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Chemical shifts changes in
ppm for the proton signals of 1c in different solvents taking
chloroform as the
reference solvent at 298 K.
Solventa |
H-1 |
H-2 |
H-3 |
H-4 |
H-5b |
H-6c |
Ht-But |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C6D6 |
0.05 |
-0.24 |
0.17 |
-0.22 |
0.05 |
0.01 |
0.13 |
C5D5N |
0.21 |
0.22 |
0.37 |
0.17 |
0.30 |
0.34 |
0.19 |
CD3COCD3 |
-0.04 |
0.15 |
0.14 |
0.13 |
0.13 |
0.11 |
0.04 |
CD3OD |
-0.13 |
0.20 |
0.13 |
0.09 |
0.13 |
0.11 |
0.03 |
CD3CN |
-0.04 |
-0.02 |
0.40 |
-0.04 |
-0.03 |
0.07 |
0.10 |
CD3NO2 |
-0.02 |
0.08 |
0.41 |
0.08 |
0.11 |
0.06 |
0.08 |
d6-DMSO |
-1.21 |
-0.93 |
-0.97 |
-1.06 |
-1.01 |
-0.92 |
0.37 |
A pronounced deshielding
effect is observed for the H-3 proton (except in d6-DMSO), which suggest that
these solvents interact with the hydrophobic cavity of 1c. Furthermore, the tert-butyl
group protons show a deshielding effect in C6D6, CD3CN
and d6-DMSO (Dd H-3= 0.13, 0.19, 0.10 and 0.37 ppm), while this effect is less
pronounced in the other solvents (Dd H-3 » 0.05 ppm). Therefore,
this indicates that d6-DMSO might be forming an exo-complex with 1c (Dd H-3 = -0.97 ppm while Dd H-t-Bu =
0.37 ppm).
On the other hand, more bulky
solvents (C6D6 and C5D5N) than
d6-DMSO, have produced a deshielding effect for both protons H-3 and H-t-Bu,
suggesting that the interaction between the solvent and the hydrophobic cavity
is of the p-p type which can be the result of exo- or endo-complex
formation with 1c.
The deshielding effect observed for the H-5 and 6 in the solvents
investigated (except d6-DMSO) relative to CDCl3 and the Ddax-eq (discussed above), indicate that the hydrophobic cavity of 1c
does not undergo a pronounced conformational change in these solvents with
respect to CDCl3 at 298 K. This might be due to the rigidity of the
hydrophobic cavity caused by the bulky pendant arms (pyridine group) in the
hydrophilic cavity, being incapable of getting closer to each other due to the
electrostatic effect.
An interesting
observation is that on increasing the dielectric constant of the solvent, the
signal of the H-1 proton of the pyridine ring (see Table 1) shifts upfield to a
smaller extent that the signal of the H-2 proton.
The shielding effect observed for H-1 (except C6D6
and C5D5N) suggest that not all solvents interact with
the pyridyl groups in the hydrophilic cavity. On the other hand, a pronounced
deshielding effect (H-1,2 and 4) is recorded in C5D5N
suggesting a p-p interaction between the pyridyl groups and this solvent. For C6D6 slight deshielding effect is observed for H-1 and a pronounced shielding effect
for H-2 and H-4 indicating that no interaction is taking place between this
solvent and the hydrophilic cavity of 1c.[16].
The chemical shift changes of 1c in CD3OD
and CD3COCD3 relative to CDCl3 show a
deshielding effect for the H-2 and the H- 4 signals. This suggests an
interaction between these solvents and the pendant arms at the lower rim of 1c.
In acetone which is a dipolar aprotric solvent with a moderate dielectric
constant, broadening of the signals for H-1 and H-2 occurs. The H-1 signal
shifts upfield but the H-2 signal shifts downfield compared to C6D6
and CDCl3. This may indicate specific interactions at sites away
from the nitrogen of the pyridine ring. In d6-DMSO which is a solvent with
moderate dielectric constant and a high donor number [13,14], shielding effects
are observed for all the protons of the hydrophilic cavity suggesting that no
interaction is taking place with the pendant arms of 1c relative to CDCl3
at 298 K.
In summary the
conclusions are as follows,
i) In all
solvents the ligand shows a distorted ‘cone’ conformation.
ii) The aromatic
protons (H-3) show the most significant deshielding effect in CD3CN,
CD3NO2 and C5D5N relative to CDCl3,
which may be attributed to the interaction of these solvents (CD3CN,
CD3NO2) through their methyl groups with the hydrophobic
cavity of the ligand. This interaction has been observed for various calixarene
derivatives and acetonitrile [18,19.]. In C5D5N a p-p interaction
between the pyridyl groups and this solvent is likely to occur..
(ii) Protonation constants of 1c in methanol at 298.15 K
The potentiometric titration curve of 1c with a methanolic solution of tetramethylammonium hydroxide is shown in Fig 1 as a plot of E/volts against the base/ligand ([OH-]/[lc]) ratio. Also included in this figure is its first derivative.
Figure 1. Potentiometric titration of 1c with tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide in methanol at 298.15 K
The experimental data indicate that the inflection point in (i) or the maximum in (ii) corresponds to the following stoichiometry.
1c (MeOH) + 4 H+ (MeOH) ® H41c4+ (MeOH) |
(1) |
Potentiometric data were analysed by the use of the MINIQUAD program [20,21]. The calculated protonation constants of 1c in methanol are shown in Table 3 and these are referred to the processes described by eqs 2-5.
1c (MeOH) + H+ (MeOH) ![]() |
(2) |
[H1c]+ (MeOH) + H+ (MeOH) ![]() |
(3) |
[H21c]2+ (MeOH) + H+ (MeOH) ![]() |
(4) |
[H31c]3+ (MeOH) + H+ (MeOH) ![]() |
(5) |
Table 3.Protonation constants of 1c in methanol at 298.15 K (expressed as log Kp) and overall protonation constants (expressed as log b) in the same solvent.
log KP1 |
5.91 |
Log b1 |
5.91 |
log KP2 |
5.35 |
Log b2 |
11.26 |
log KP3 |
5.03 |
Log b3 |
16.29 |
log KP4 |
4.70 |
Log b4 |
20.99 |
The overall protonation constants, log b corresponds to the following processes.
1c (MeOH) + H+ (MeOH) ![]() |
(6) |
1c (MeOH) + 2H+ (MeOH) ![]() |
(7) |
1c (MeOH) + 3H+ (MeOH) ![]() |
(8) |
1c (MeOH) + 4H+ (MeOH) ![]() |
(9) |
As the difference between the
first and fourth protonation constants is only 1.21 units, it is reasonable to
assume that the pyridine groups behave independently from each other with
respect to protonation, otherwise protonation of one pyridine residue would
markedly affect the basicity of another and give rise to significant pK
differences [12].
If the protonation constants of 1c are compared with
those of 1b (Table 4), it is noted that the oxygen of the ether
group plays a key role in the acid-base properties of these derivatives. Thus
the latter derivative is less basic than the former due to the close proximity
of the pyridine nitrogen to the electron withdrawing ethereal oxygen. When the
protonation constants of 1c are compared to the corresponding
values of alkylamino calix(4)arenes (1d-1g) (Table 4) dramatic changes
in basic properties are observed.
Table 4: Protonation Constants of lower rim pyridinocalix(4)arenes (1b,1c), aliphatic (1d, 1e) and alicyclic (1f, 1g,) amino calix(4)arene derivatives in methanol at 298.15 K
Derivative |
log KP1 |
log KP2 |
log KP3 |
log KP4 |
1b |
5.15 |
4.52 |
4.11 |
3.59 |
1c |
5.91 |
5.35 |
5.03 |
4.70 |
1d |
9.40 |
8.44 |
8.24 |
7.67 |
1e |
9.48 |
8.96 |
8.69 |
8.10 |
1f |
9.35 |
9.01 |
8.72 |
8.33 |
1g |
7.49 |
6.93 |
6.93 |
5.98 |
Thus while dimethylaminocalix(4)arene, 1d, has a value
of 7.67 for log Kp4, that for 1c is 4.70. The
increased basicity of the alkylamines relative to pyridino calixarenes (1c,
1b) parallels that observed for similar non-calixarene
derivatives (eg alykylamines vs. pyridines) and may be attributed to
interaction of the pyridine nitrogen lone pair with the aromatic sextet [10]. In the case of the morpholine calix(4)arene, 1h, the influence of
the ring oxygen decreases the basic properties as expected. Species
distribution curves as a function of pH were obtained for 1c using a MINIQUAD computer program. As the pH changes from 3.5 to 7, the
composition of the solution changes from one containing protonated forms of the
ligand to one containing the unprotonated form. At a pH @ 4.7, the major
species in solution is [H31c]3+ while at pH 5.2 is [H21c]2+ and at pH 5.6 it is [H1c]+.
The complexation ability of 1c for metal cations in
non-aqueous media (acetonitrile and methanol) investigated by 1H
NMR, conductimetry, potentiometry and calorimetry is under investigation.[22]
Conclusions
From the above results it is concluded that:
(i) The variation in the chemical shifts of 1c with the solvent will have implications on the thermodynamics of complexation
of this ligand with metal cations particularly if the solvent is hosted in the
hydrophobic cavity of the ligand and as a result it may exert an allosteric
effect on the hydropholic cavity which may lead to a re-organisation of the
hydrophilic and thus unexpected recognition ability.
(ii) The position of the ethereal oxygen
relative to the pyridyl nitrogen affects the basicity of the ligand. As
expected calix(4)arene amino derivatives containing alicyclic and aliphatic
amino groups ( 1d –1g) show a much higher basicity than pyridino
calix(4)arenes.
References
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[2] Calixarenes: A Versatile Class of Macrocyclic Compounds; Ed. J. Vicens and V. Böhmer, Kluwer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 1991.
[3] Calixarenes, 50th Anniversary Commemorative Volume. J. Vicens, Z. Asfari, J.M. Harrowfield, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 1994.
[4] C.D. Gutsche, Calixarenes Revisited. Monographs in Supramolecular Chemistry. Ed. J.F. Stoddart, The Royal Society of Chemistry, 1998.
[5] Calixarenes 2001, Eds Z. Asfari, V. Böhmer, J.M. Harrowfield, J. Vicens, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2001.
[6] A.F. Danil de Namor, R Cleverley and M.L. Zapata-Ormachea, Chem.Rev.; 1998, 98, 2495; see also references therein.
[7] A.F. Danil de Namor in Calixarenes 2001. Eds. Z. Asfari, V. Böhmer, J.M. Harrowfield, J. Vicens, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands 2001, Chapter 19.
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[11] “NUTS” NMR software for Windows 95. Acorn NMR Inc; Fremont, California, USA.
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[15] D. Popovych and R.P. Tomkins, Nonaqueous Solution Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1981.
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[18] A.F. Danil de Namor, Pure Appl. Chem, 1993, 65, 193.
[19] A.F. Danil de Namor, E. Gil, M.A. Llosa Tanco, D.A. Pacheco Tanaka, L.E. Pulcha Salazar, R.A. Schulz and J. Wang; J. Phys. Chem.; 1995, 99, 16781.
[20] A. Sabatini, A. Vacca and P. Gans, Talanta, 1974, 21, 53.
[21] A. Sabatini and A. Vacca, Coord. Chem Rev; 1992, 120, 389.
[22] A.F.Danil de Namor, A. Aguilar-Cornejo, R. Soualhi, M. Shehab, K.B. Nolan, N.Ouazzani and L. Mandi, J. Phys. Chem 2005, 109, 14795.