Fluorescent sensors based on BODIPY derivatives for aluminium ion recognition: an experimental and theoretical study

Two BODIPY derivative sensors for metal ion recognition containing 10-(4-hydroxyphenyl) (L1) and 10-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) (L2) were synthesized in a one-pot reaction of benzaldehyde derivative and 2,4-dimethylpyrrole in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid as catalyst. The binding abilities between these sensors and 50 equivalents of Na⁺, K⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Al³⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions were studied using UV–vis and fluorescent spectroscopic methods. Of all the metal ions tested, Al³⁺ ion showed the greatest decrease in intensity in the spectra of the sensors, and therefore Al³⁺ ion forms the strongest complex. The binding abilities of BODIPY receptors with Na⁺, Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺ ions were also investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at B3LYP/LanL2DZ theoretical level. The calculated results point to the same conclusion. DFT calculations also provided the HOMO–LUMO energy levels, which can explain the spectrum change upon complexation.

Investigation of the antioxidant properties of hyperjovinol A through its Cu(II) coordination ability

Hyperjovinol A (2-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-(3-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloct-6-enyl)phen yl)propan-1-one) is an acylated phloroglucinol isolated from Hypericum Jovis and exhibiting antioxidant properties comparable with those of the most common antioxidant drugs. The study models the compound’s antioxidant ability through its ability to coordinate a Cu²⁺ ion and reduce it to Cu⁺. Complexes with a Cu²⁺ ion were calculated for all the low energy and for representative high energy conformers of hyperjovinol A, placing the ion in turn near each of the electron-rich binding sites. The most stable complexes are those in which Cu²⁺ binds simultaneously to the O of the OH in the geranyl-type chain (R′) and the C═C double bond at the end of R′, or to the O of a phenol OH and the O of the OH in R′. The most stable complexes in which Cu²⁺ binds only to one site are those in which it binds to the C═C double bond at the end of R′ or to the sp² O of the COCH(CH₃)₂ acyl group. Cu²⁺ is reduced to Cu⁺ in all complexes. Comparisons with corresponding complexes of other molecular structures in which one or more of the structural features of hyperjovinol A are modified attempt to elucidate the role, for the antioxidant ability, of relevant features of hyperjovinol A, like the presence and position of the OH or the C═C double bond in R′. Calculations at the DFT/B3LYP/6–31+G(d,p) level were performed for all the structures considered. Calculations utilizing the LANL2DZ pseudopotential for the Cu²⁺ ion were also performed for hyperjovinol A.

DFT studies of the conversion of four mesylate esters during reaction with ammonia

The energetics of the Menshutkin-like reaction between four mesylate derivatives and ammonia have been computed using B3LYP functional with the 6-31+G** basis set. Additionally, MPW1K/6-31+G** level calculations were carried out to estimate activation barrier heights in the gas phase. Solvent effect corrections were computed using PCM/B3LYP/6-31+G** level. The conversion of the reactant complexes into ion pairs is accompanied by a strong energy decrease in the gas phase and in all solvents. The ion pairs are stabilized with two strong hydrogen bonds in the gas phase. The bifurcation at C2 causes a significant activation barrier increase. Also, bifurcation at C5 leads to noticeable barrier height differentiation. Both B3LYP/6-31+G** and MPW1K/6-31+G** activation barriers suggest the reaction 2 (2a?+?NH₃) to be the fastest in the gas phase. The reaction 4 is the slowest one in all environments.

Speciation, stability constants and structures of complexes of copper(II), nickel(II), silver(I) and mercury(II) with PAMAM dendrimer and related tetraamide ligands

The acid-base properties and Cu(II), Ni(II), Ag(I) and Hg(II) binding abilities of PAMAM dendrimer, L, and of the simple model compounds, the tetraamides of EDTA and PDTA, L¹, were studied in solution by pH-metric methods and by ¹H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. PAMAM is hexabasic and six pK_a values have been determined and assigned. PAMAM forms five identifiable complexes with copper(II), [CuLH₄]⁶⁺, [CuLH₂]⁴⁺, [CuLH]³⁺, [CuL]²⁺ and [CuLH_-1]⁺ in the pH range 2-11 and three with nickel(II), [NiLH]³⁺, [NiL]²⁺ and [NiLH_-1]⁺ in the pH range 7-11. The complex [CuLH₄]⁶⁺, which contains two tertiary nitrogen and three amide oxygen atoms coordinated to the metal ion, is less stable than the analogous EDTA and PDTA tetraamide complexes [CuL¹]²⁺, which contain two tertiary nitrogen and four amide oxygen atoms, due to ring size and charge effects. With increasing pH, [CuLH₄]⁶⁺ undergoes deprotonation of two coordinated amide groups to give [CuLH₂]⁴⁺ with a concomitant change from O-amide to N-amidate coordination. Surprisingly and in contrast to the tetraamide complexes [CuL¹]²⁺, these two deprotonation steps could not be separated. As expected the nickel(II) complexes are less stable than their copper(II) analogues. The tetra-N-methylamides of EDTA, L¹(b), and PDTA form mononuclear and binuclear complexes with Hg(II). In the case of L¹(b) these have stoichiometries HgL¹(b)Cl₂, [HgL¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂]²⁻, [Hg₂L¹(b)Cl₂]²⁺, Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂ and [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻. Based on ¹H NMR and pH-metric data the proposed structure for HgL¹(b)Cl₂, the main tetraamide ligand containing species in the pH range <3-6.5, contains L¹(b) coordinated to the metal ion through the two tertiary nitrogens and two amide oxygens while the structure of [HgL¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂]²⁻, the main tetraamide ligand species at pH 7.5-9.0, contains the ligand similarly coordinated but through two amidate nitrogen atoms instead of amide oxygens. The proposed structure of [Hg₂L¹(b)Cl₂]²⁺, a minor species at pH 3-6.5, also based on ¹H NMR and pH-metric data, contains each Hg(II) coordinated to a tertiary amino nitrogen, two amide oxygens and a chloride ligand while that of [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻, contains each Hg(II) coordinated to a tertiary amino nitrogen, two amidate nitrogens, a chloride and a hydroxo ligand in the case of one of the Hg(II) ions. The parent EDTA and PDTA amides only form mononuclear complexes. PAMAM also forms dinuclear as well as mononuclear complexes with mercury(II) and silver(I). In the pH range 3-11 six complexes with Hg(II) i.e. [HgLH₄Cl₂]⁴⁺, [HgLH₃Cl₂]³⁺, [Hg₂LCl₂]²⁺, [Hg₂LH₋₁Cl₂]⁺, [HgLH₋₁Cl₂]⁻ and [HgLH₋₂Cl₂]²⁻ were identified and only two with Ag(I), [AgLH₃]⁴⁺ and [Ag₂L]²⁺. Based on stoichiometries, stability constant comparisons and ¹H NMR data, structures are proposed for these species. Hence [HgLH₄Cl₂]⁴⁺ is proposed to have a similar structure to [CuLH₄]⁶⁺ while [Hg₂LCl₂]²⁺has a similar structure to [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻.     

Synthesis of a series of first-row tris-imidazolylphosphine sandwich complexes and their potential for formation of polymetallic species

A series of tris-[2-(1-methylimidazolyl)phosphine] sandwich complexes with Co²⁺ (1), Ni²⁺ (2), Cu²⁺ (3) and Zn²⁺ (4) have been synthesized and characterized with the intent of using these complexes as templates for building polymetallic species. X-ray analysis reveals that each metal is six-coordinate with octahedral geometry. Compound 3 exhibits a tetragonal distortion resulting from a Jahn-Teller distortion of a Cu²⁺ (d⁹) complex. Electrochemistry of 1-4 displayed peaks assigned to both ligand-based oxidation at 1.45-1.56 V and a perchlorate-based reduction at −2.36 to −2.78 V versus FcH⁺/FcH. Metal-based reduction was also observed for 2, with a reversible Ni^2+/3+ oxidation at 0.89 V, consistent with the relatively poor donor ability of the imidazolyl nitrogen bases; and 3, with a irreversible Cu^2+/1+ reduction at −1.29 V versus FcH⁺/FcH, consistent with the decomposition of the complex upon reduction. X-ray structures indicate large steric crowding around the phosphorus atom resulting from the orientation of the methyl substituent on the imidazoles. This crowding may prohibit the formation of polymetallic species through phosphorus-metal bonding.     

Modeling the effect of H-bonding interactions and molecular packing on the molecular structure of [Ag(ethylnicotinate)2]NO3 complex

The gas phase molecular structure of a single isolated molecule of [Ag(Etnic)₂NO₃];1 where Etnic = Ethylnicotinate was calculated using B3LYP method. The H-bonding interaction between 1 with one (complex 2) and two (complex 3) water molecules together with the dimeric formula [Ag(Etnic)₂NO₃]₂;4 and the tetrameric formula [Ag(Etnic)₂NO₃]₄;5 were calculated using the same level of theory to model the effect of intermolecular interactions and molecular packing on the molecular structure of the titled complex. The H-bond dissociation energies of complexes 2 and 3 were calculated to be in the range of 12.220–14.253 and 30.106–31.055 kcal?mol^?1, respectively, indicating the formation of relatively strong H-bonds between 1 and water molecules. The calculations predict bidentate nitrate ligand in the case of 1 and 2, leading to distorted tetrahedral geometry around the silver ion with longer Ag–O distances in case of 2 compared to 1, while 3 has a unidentate nitrate ligand leading to a distorted trigonal planar geometry. The packing of two [Ag(Etnic)₂NO₃] complex units; 4 does not affect the molecular geometry around Ag(I) ion compared to 1. In the case of 5, the two asymmetric units of the formula [Ag(Etnic)₂NO₃] differ in the bonding mode of the nitrate group, where the geometry around the silver ion is distorted tetrahedral in one unit and trigonal planar in the other. The calculations predicted almost no change in the charge densities at the different atomic sites except at the sites involved in the C–H?O interactions as well as at the coordinated nitrogen of the pyridine ring.

First-principles study of ammonium ions and their hydration in montmorillonites

Density functional theory calculations were performed to investigate the adsorption and hydration of an ammonium ion (NH₄ ⁺) confined in the interlayer space of montmorillonites (MMT). NH₄ ⁺ is trapped in the six-oxygen-ring on the internal surface and forms a strong binding with the surface O atoms. The hydration of NH₄ ⁺ is affected significantly by the surface. Water molecules prefer the surface sites, and do not bind with the NH₄ ⁺ unless enough water molecules are supplied. Moreover, the water molecules involved in NH₄ ⁺ hydration tend to bind with the surface simultaneously. The hydration energy increases with the intercalated water molecules, in contrast to that in gas phase. In addition, the hydration leads to the extension of MMT basal spacing.

Comparison of the structural characteristics of Cu2+-bound and unbound α-syn12 peptide obtained in simulations using different force fields

The effects of Cu²⁺ binding and the utilization of different force fields when modeling the structural characteristics of α-syn12 peptide were investigated. To this end, we performed extensive temperature replica exchange molecular dynamics (T-REMD) simulations on Cu²⁺-bound and unbound α-syn12 peptide using the GROMOS 43A1, OPLS-AA, and AMBER03 force fields. Each replica was run for 300 ns. The structural characteristics of α-syn12 peptide were studied based on backbone dihedral angle distributions, free-energy surfaces obtained with different reaction coordinates, favored conformations, the formation of different Turn structures, and the solvent exposure of the hydrophobic residues. The findings show that AMBER03 prefers to sample helical structures for the unbound α-syn12 peptide and does not sample any β-hairpin structure for the Cu²⁺-bound α-syn12 peptide. In contrast, the central structure of the major conformational clusters for the Cu²⁺-bound and unbound α-syn12 peptide according to simulations performed using the GROMOS 43A1 and OPLS-AA force fields is a β-hairpin with Turn_9-6. Cu²⁺ can also promote the formation of the β-hairpin and increase the solvent exposure of hydrophobic residues, which promotes the aggregation of α-syn12 peptide. This study can help us to understand the mechanisms through which Cu²⁺ participates in the fibrillation of α-syn12 peptide at the atomic level, which in turn represents a step towards elucidating the nosogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.

Nickel/zinc-catalyzed decarbonylative addition of anhydrides to alkynes: A DFT study

Density functional theory (DFT) was used to investigate the nickel- or nickel(0)/zinc- catalyzed decarbonylative addition of phthalic anhydrides to alkynes. All intermediates and transition states were optimized completely at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level. Calculated results indicated that the decarbonylative addition of phthalic anhydrides to alkynes was exergonic, and the total free energy released was ?87.6 kJ mol^?1. In the five-coordinated complexes M4a and M4b, the insertion reaction of alkynes into the Ni-C bond occurred prior to that into the Ni-O bond. The nickel(0)/zinc-catalyzed decarbonylative addition was much more dominant than the nickel-catalyzed one in whole catalytic decarbonylative addition. The reaction channel CA→M1'→T1'→M2'→T2'→M3a'→M4a'→T3a1'→M5a1' →T4a1'→M6a'→P was the most favorable among all reaction pathways of the nickel- or nickel(0)/zinc- catalyzed decarbonylative addition of phthalic anhydrides to alkynes. And the alkyne insertion reaction was the rate-determining step for this channel. The additive ZnCl₂ had a significant effect, and it might change greatly the electron and geometry structures of those intermediates and transition states. On the whole, the solvent effect decreased the free energy barriers.

Spin-flip reactions of Zr + C2H6 researched by relativistic density functional theory

Density functional theory (DFT) with relativistic corrections of zero-order regular approximation (ZORA) has been applied to explore the reaction mechanisms of ethane dehydrogenation by Zr atom with triplet and singlet spin-states. Among the complicated minimum energy reaction path, the available states involves three transition states (TS), and four stationary states (1) to (4) and one intersystem crossing with spin-flip (marked by ?): ³ Zr + C ₂ H ₆ → ³ Zr-CH ₃ -CH ₃ ( ³ 1) → ³ TS _1/2 → ³ ZrH-CH ₂ -CH ₃ ( ³ 2) → ³ TS _2/3 ? ¹ ZrH₂-CH₂ = CH₂ ( ¹ 3) → ¹ TS _3/4 → ¹ ZrH ₃ -CH = CH ₂ ( ¹ 4). The minimum energy crossing point is determined with the help of the DFT fractional-occupation-number (FON) approach. The spin inversion leads the reaction pathway transferring from the triplet potential energy surface (PES) to the singlet’s accompanying with the activation of the second C-H bond. The overall reaction is calculated to be exothermic by about 231 kJ mol^?1. Frequency and NBO analysis are also applied to confirm with the experimental observed data.

Prodrugs of fumarate esters for the treatment of psoriasis and multiple sclerosis—a computational approach

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at B3LYP/6-31 G (d,p) and B3LYP/6-311?+?G(d,p) levels for the substituted pyridine-catalyzed isomerization of monomethyl maleate revealed that isomerization proceeds via four steps, with the rate-limiting step being proton transfer from the substituted pyridinium ion to the C=C double bond in INT1. In addition, it was found that the isomerization rate (maleate to fumarate) is solvent dependent. Polar solvents, such as water, tend to accelerate the isomerization rate, whereas apolar solvents, such as chloroform, act to slow down the reaction. A linear correlation was obtained between the isomerization activation energy and the dielectric constant of the solvent. Furthermore, linearity was achieved when the activation energy was plotted against the pK _a value of the catalyst. Substituted-pyridine derivatives with high pK _a values were able to catalyze isomerization more efficiently than those with low pK _a values. The calculated relative rates for prodrugs 1–6 were: 1 (406.7), 2 (7.6?×?10⁶), 3 (1.0), 4 (20.7), 5 (13.5) and 6 (2.2?×?10³). This result indicates that isomerizations of prodrugs 1 and 3–5 are expected to be slow and that of prodrugs 2 and 6 are expected to be relatively fast. Hence, prodrugs 2 and 3–5 have the potential to be utilized as prodrugs for the slow release of monomethylfumarate in the treatment of psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.

Cytotoxic effect and molecular docking of 4-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1-(piperidin-4-ylcarbonyl)-thiosemicarbazide—a novel topoisomerase II inhibitor

The preliminary cytotoxic effect of 4-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1-(piperidin-4-ylcarbonyl)-thiosemicarbazide hydrochloride (1)—a potent topoisomerase II inhibitor—was measured using a MTT assay. It was found that the compound decreased the number of viable cells in both estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 and estrogen receptor-negative MDA-MB-231breast cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values of 146?±?2 and 132?±?2 μM, respectively. To clarify the molecular basis of the inhibitory action of 1, molecular docking studies were carried out. The results suggest that 1 targets the ATP binding pocket.

Effect of salinity on Na+, K+ and Cl- content in different organs of chickpea and the basis of ion expression

One-month-old plants of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars were exposed to salinity of 4 and 8 dS m ^-1 in pots in a greenhouse. The cultivar BG 312 performed better than Pusa 209 in terms of visible injury and dry mass accumulation. Tissue water content of the various plant organs was affected differently by salinity. Expression of Na⁺ and Cl ^- concentrations on a dry mass basis indicated retention of Na⁺ and Cl ^- by roots, thereby keeping the leaves free of ion accumulation, but their expression on a tissue water basis did not indicate Cl ^- retention and showed less Na ^- exclusion. Changes in the apparent exclusion mechanisms resulted from a higher water content in the roots than in the shoots. On a dry mass basis, roots appeared to retain K⁺, but on a tissue water basis stems appeared to act as a reservoir of K⁺; leaves and nodules received K⁺ preferentially. The exclusion mechanisms and their efficiency differ with cultivar and salinity. The expression of ion concentrations on a tissue water basis appears to be more useful then on a dry mass basis in studies of salinity tolerance.     

A pyrenyl-appended triazole-based ribose as a fluorescent sensor for Hg2+ ion

For the efficient detection of toxic trace metal ions, two pyrenyl-appended triazole-based d-ribose fluorescent chemosensors 6 and 7 were prepared and their fluoroionophoric properties toward transition metal ions were investigated. Chemosensors 6 and 7 exhibit highly selective recognition toward Hg²⁺ ion among a series of tested metal ions in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH solution. The association constants of 6 and 7 are calculated to be 1.73 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ and 4.44 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, respectively. Both 6 and 7 formed complexes with the Hg²⁺ ion at a 1:1 ligand-to-metal ratio with a detection limit of 10-15 μM Hg²⁺. Computational analysis demonstrated that the Hg²⁺ ion occupied the coordination center of 6 with N² and N³ atoms in two triazole groups, thus separating and distorting the two parallel pyrenes away from each other.     

A UB3LYP and UMP2 theoretical investigation on unusual cation–π interaction between the triplet state HB=BH ( {}^3\Sigma_g^{-} ) and H+, Li+, Na+, Be2+ or Mg2+

The nature of the unusual cation–π interactions between cations (H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, Be²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and the electron-deficient B=B bond of the triplet state HB=BH ( $ {}^3\Sigma_g^{-} $ ) was investigated using UMP2(full) and UB3LYP methods at 6–311++G(2df,2p) and aug-cc-pVTZ levels, accompanied by a comparison with 1:1 and 2:1 σ-binding complexes between BH and the cations. The binding energies follow the order HB=BH...H⁺ > HB=BH...Be²⁺ > HB=BH...Mg²⁺ ? HB=BH...Li⁺ > HB=BH...Na⁺ and HB=BH (¹Δ_g)...M⁺/M²⁺ > H₂C=CH₂...M⁺/M²⁺ > HC≡CH...M⁺/M²⁺ > HB=BH ( $ {}^3\Sigma_g^{-} $ )...M⁺/M²⁺. Furthermore, except for HB...H⁺, the σ-binding interaction energy of the 1:1 complex HB...M⁺/M²⁺ is stronger than the cation–π interaction energy of the C₂H₂...M⁺/M²⁺, C₂H₄...M⁺/M²⁺, B₂H₂ (¹Δ_g)...M⁺/M²⁺ or B₂H₂ ( $ {}^3\Sigma_g^{-} $ )...M⁺/M²⁺ complex, and, for the 2:1 σ-binding complexes, except for HBBe²⁺...BH, they are less stable than the cation–π complexes of B₂H₂ (¹Δ_g) or B₂H₂ ( $ {}^3\Sigma_g^{-} $ ). The atoms in molecules (AIM) theory was also applied to verify covalent interactions in the H⁺ complexes and confirm that HB=BH ( $ {}^3\Sigma_g^{-} $ ) can be a weaker π-electron donor than HB=BH (¹Δ_g), H₂C=CH₂ or HC≡CH in the cation–π interaction. Analyses of natural bond orbital (NBO) and electron density shifts revealed that the origin of the cation–π interaction is mainly that many of the lost densities from the π-orbital of B=B and CC multiple bonds are shifted toward the cations.

Microsolvation and hydration enthalpies of CaC2O4(H2O) n (n = 0-16) and C2O4 2-(H2O) n (n = 0-14): an ab initio study

We studied hydrated calcium oxalate and its ions at the restricted Hartree–Fock RHF/6-31G* level of theory. Performing a configurational search seems to improve the fit of the HF/6-31G* level to experimental data. The first solvation shell of calcium oxalate contains 13 water molecules, while the first solvation shell of oxalate ion is formed by 14 water molecules. The first solvation shell of Ca(II) is formed by six water molecules, while the second shell contains five. At 298.15 K, we estimate the asymptotic limits (infinite dilution) of the total standard enthalpies of hydration for Ca(II), oxalate ion and calcium oxalate as ?480.78, –302.78 and –312.73 kcal mol^?1, resp. The dissociation of hydrated calcium oxalate is an endothermic process with an asymptotic limit of +470.84 kcal mol^?1.

A computational approach to design energetic ionic liquids

The present work deals with the theoretical estimation of ion-pair binding energies and the energetic properties of four ion pairs formed by combining the 1-butyl-2,4-dinitro-3-methyl imidazolium ion with nitrate (I), perchlorate (II), dinitramide (III), or 3,5-dinitro-1,2,4-triazolate (IV) anions. The counterpoise-corrected ion-pair binding energies were calculated for each ion pair at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. Results show that the cation–anion interaction is strongest for ion pair I and weakest for IV, indicating that the nitrate (I) has a greater tendency to exist as a stable ionic salt whereas the 3,5-dinitro-1,2,4-triazolate (IV) may exist as an ionic liquid. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and electrostatic potential (ESP) mapping revealed that charge transfer occurs in all of the ion pairs, but is greatest (0.25e) for ion pair I and smallest (0.03e) for IV, resulting in ion pair I being the least polarized. A nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) study revealed that the aromaticity of the 1-butyl-2,4-dinitro-3-methyl imidazolium ion significantly increases in ion pair IV, indicating that this has the greatest charge delocalization among all of the four ion pairs considered. Studies of thermodynamic and detonation properties showed that ion pair II is the most energetic ion pair in terms of its detonation velocity (D = 7.5 km s^?1) and detonation pressure (P = 23.1 GPa). It is also envisaged that ion pair IV would exist as an energetic azolium azolate type ionic liquid that could be conveniently used as a secondary explosive characterized by detonation parameters D and P of 6.9 km s^?1 and 19.3 GPa, respectively. These values are comparable to those of conventional explosives such as TNT.     

A preparative study of some coronands and their complexation of silver(I), zinc(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II)

A study of the complexation of heavy metal ions by the coronands 3,12,20,29-tetraoxa-35,36-diazapentacyclo[29.3.1.1.^14,18.0^5,10.0^22,27]-hexatriaconta-1(35),5(10),6,8,14,16,18(36),22(27),23,25,31,33-dodecaene (1); 2,3,11,12-bis (4^′-methylbenzo)-1,4,10,13-tetrathia-7,16-dioxacyclo-octadeca-2,11-diene (2); 7,16-diaza-1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-2,3,11,12-dibenzocyclooctadeca-2,11-diene (3); 2-[19-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-7,8,9,10, 18,19,20,21-octahydro-6H,17H-dibenzo[b,k][1,4,10,13,7,16]tetraoxadiazacyclooctadecin-8-yl]-1-phenyl-1-ethanol (4); 1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclo-octadecane (5); and 2-[16-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclo-octadecanyl]-1-phenyl-1-ethanol (6) is described. Coronands 1 and 3 were prepared by literature methods, improved methods were used to prepare 2, and 4 and 6 were prepared from 3 and 5 (obtained commercially), respectively. Potentiometric studies in N,N-dimethylformamide yielded (logK/dm³ mol⁻¹)=5.50, 6.49, 9.42 and 7.52 for [Ag · 1]⁺, [Ag · 2]⁺, [Ag · 5]⁺ and [Ag · 6]⁺, respectively; <2, <2, 4.30 and <2 for [Zn · 1]²⁺, [Zn · 2]²⁺, [Zn · 5]²⁺ and [Zn · 6]²⁺, respectively, <2, <2, 5.92 and >7.52 for [Cd · 1]²⁺, [Cd · 2]²⁺, [Cd · 5]²⁺, and [Cd · 6]²⁺, respectively, and 2.62, 2.38, 6.71 and >7.52 for [Pb · 1]²⁺, [Pb · 2]²⁺, [Pb · 5]²⁺, and [Pb · 6]²⁺, respectively. ESI-MS studies of the interactions of 1-6 with Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ are also reported.