Metal-Switching and Self-Inclusion of Functional Cavitands

Cavitands bearing both eight (5) and two (13) metal-ligating carboxymethylphosphonate groups
on their rims were synthesized by Arbuzov reaction of the corresponding bromoacetamido cavitands with
trialkyl phosphites. These exist in the vase conformation in CDCl3 and are stabilized by a cyclic seam of
hydrogen bonds. This structure was also found in the solid state for the octabromoacetamide 4a and
diphosphonate cavitand 13 by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Cavitands 5 and 13 form caviplexes in CDCl3,
CD2Cl2, and alcohol solutions with adamantane derivatives 15a,b, quinuclidine 15d, ammonium and
phosphonium salts 14, and drugs like ibuprofen 15c, all of which are stable on the NMR time scale at 295
K. NMR spectroscopy reveals that at 223 K octaphosphonate 5b exists in two forms:  the major
C4-symmetrical compound is filled with solvent while the minor species shows intramolecular inclusion of
a dialkoxyphosphoryl group. In methanol-d4 5 and 13 exist in a lower symmetry vase conformation with
self-inclusion of one alkyl group. Interaction of these complexes with La(OTf)3 results in a change in the
conformation of the cavitand from vase to kite with concomitant and quantitative release of the encapsulated
guests. Two to three equivalents of the lanthanide salt per equivalent of cavitand 5a−d is necessary for
the complete decomplexation of the included guest. The kite and the vase conformers equilibrate slowly
on the NMR time scale at 295 K. The addition of good ligands for metal cations (nitrate or CMPO calixarene
16) shifts the equilibrium to the vase-shaped caviplex and allows quantitative control of the binding and
release of the guest. The lanthanide complexes of octaphosphonates 5 in methanol-d4 are velcraplex-like
dimers held together by four metal cations.