Jacqueline Medina / Chemistry & Biochemistry / Faculty Mentor: Frank Foss Jr.
Calix[4]arenes are cyclic oligomers renowned for their unique molecular architecture, offering a versatile platform across supramolecular chemistry applications. When combined strategically with fluorescent molecules, their molecular recognition abilities enable the development of highly selective and sensitive chemosensors. Introducing bridging groups at the A and C phenolic positions within the calix[4]arene framework holds promise for generating distinctive structural characteristics and enhancing functional properties. Despite the potential advantages, the preparation of calix[4]arenes necessitates meticulous characterization of their conformationally restricted rotomers. In this study, we employed a blend of experimental and computational methodologies to unravel the three-dimensional structure and conformational dynamics of an A,C-bridged calix[4]arene derivative. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Density Functional Theory (DFT)-based optimization, and Boltzmann-weighted NMR chemical shift calculations were utilized to determine the precise molecular architecture of the binding domain in our innovative calix[4]arene derivative, encompassing conformational details, bond distances, and angles.
Cindy Lou Skipper
Awesome work!