Design, synthesis, characterization, and preliminary complexation studies of chromogenic vanadophiles: 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene tetrahydroxamic acids

New chromogenic supramolecular vanadophiles were designed and synthesized by incorporating hydroxamic acid chains on a 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene scaffold and were found to show high affinity toward vanadate ions. The article describes a comprehensive design process to devise a tailor-made co-ordination cavity for vanadate ions by pre-organization of hydroxamic acid chelating moieties on a 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene scaffold. These receptors simultaneously co-ordinate two vanadate ions giving a highly ‘staggered’ geometry with almost D2d symmetry. Proposed structures and complexation behavior of the receptors were explained by critical examination of FTIR, UV–visible, mass, and 1H NMR data.