Head-to-tail Aggregates of Sulfonatomethylated Calix[4]resorcinarene in Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Two amphiphilic water-soluble sulfonatomethylated calix[4]resorcinarene derivatives were studied by various 1H NMR techniques (1H NMR titration, 2D NOESY, NMR diffusion measurements). The derivative with methyl moieties at the lower rim (1) was found to be non-aggregated in the range 0–10 mM in aqueous solutions. Lengthening of the lower rim substituent to pentyl (2) results in self-aggregation of 2 in aqueous solutions with the aggregation number varying from 3 at 1 mM to 20 at 10 mM. The 2D NOESY 1H NMR spectroscopy data reveal an unusual head-to-tail packing mode in aqueous solutions, resulting from the cooperative effect of weak hydrophobic interactions. Binding of guests (tetramethylammonium and N-methylpyridinium) results in additional stabilization of the aggregates whilst the head-to-tail packing mode of the aggregate is retained.