No abstract

Unusual conformations have been found in a new calix[8]arene and in new solvates of two known calix[6]arenes. The chair-like conformation with 2/m point group symmetry was found for the first time in the dimethylformamide (DMF) disolvate of the basic calix[6]arene (1) without substituents in the lower and upper rims. Such symmetry is driven by the guest geometry allowing for two equivalent hydrogen bonding patterns in the chair seat. This avoids cone distortion found in the other chair-like conformers, although they have energies lower than that of new symmetrical conformer. The molecular conformation of hexa(carboxymethoxy)calix[6]arene (2) is also described as a dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) pentasolvate. Its conformation can be described as a 1,3,5-closed cone with three alternate phenyl rings inclined inwards to the cone, thereby closing the cone entrance. Such a conformation also suggests five acid groups are pointed towards the same side of the calyx base and are able to bind metal ions or basic compounds in the lower rim, while inclusion of guests into the cone cavity is hindered. Both inclusion and cooperative acid binding/coordination abilities are still more hindered in the lowest energy 1,2,3-alternate cone conformer of 2. The role of the solvent in avoiding cone distortion was highlighted by inspecting the conformations of 5,11,17,23,29,35,41,47-octanitro-49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56-octa-n-butoxycalix[8]arene (3) and the known nitro analogues having methyl instead of n-butyl groups. Cone distortion is found in the non-solvated crystal form of 3, while non-classical hydrogen bonds with tetrahydrofuran preclude this in the literature analogue.

Here we discovered an unprecedented giant octahedral coordination compound bearing 16 Zn2+, 12 Na+, 8 O2-, 4 OH-, 13 H2O and 6 L4- ligands [L4- = fully deprotonated tetra(carboxymethoxy)calix[4]arene]. Its...

Wheat is the most important income-generating crop in southern Brazil during the cold season. It also contributes to the crop rotation system and increases the yield of successive crops. During its growth cycle, herbicides are used to control weeds, which are the main factor limiting wheat productivity. Further, high costs of weed control directly affect crop economic returns. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of two herbicides, namely, 2,4-D and iodosulfuron-methyl, on the productivity of two wheat cultivars during the nine different stages of crop development. The most suitable crop stage for herbicide application, as described in the corresponding label on the package, is at the beginning of tillering. 2,4-D had a significant impact on productivity parameters, reducing the number of tillers, the number of ears, and the number of tillers without grains, while increasing the number of tillers without ears and ears without grains, indicating greater phytotoxicity and, ultimately, reducing crop productivity. Conversely, iodosulfuron-methyl showed greater selectivity to the wheat cultivars tested and caused a much lesser impact on the productivity parameters measured.