Ab initio study of the complexation behavior of p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene derivative toward alkyl ammonium cations

Abstract

The structures and complexation energies of penta-O-tert-butyl ester 1 of p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene toward a series of alkyl ammonium guests have been optimized by ab initio HF/6-31G method. The calculated complexation efficiencies of 1 for alkyl ammonium guests have been found to be similar to the values of previously reported debutylated-calix[5]arene 2. Calculation results show that both of the calix[5]aryl derivatives have much better complexation ability toward ammonium cation without alkyl group over other alkyl ammonium guests. The structural characteristics of the calculated complexes are discussed as a function of the nature of the alkyl substiments of the ammonium guests.