Allosteric binding properties of a 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene-based receptor having phenylthiourea and 2-pyridylmethyl moieties on opposite faces

Thiacalix[4]arene receptors with two thiourea moieties and two 2-pyridyl moieties exhibited a heteroditopic dinuclear receptor with F− and Ag+ ions by a positive allosteric effect.

Macrocycles as Ion Pair Receptors

Cation and anion recognition have both played central roles in the development of supramolecular chemistry. Much of the associated research has focused on the development of receptors for individual cations or anions, as well as their applications in different areas. Rarely is complexation of the counterions considered. In contrast, ion pair recognition chemistry, emerging from cation and anion coordination chemistry, is a specific research field where co-complexation of both anions and cations, so-called ion pairs, is the center of focus. Systems used for the purpose, known as ion pair receptors, are typically di- or polytopic hosts that contain recognition sites for both cations and anions and which permit the concurrent binding of multiple ions. The field of ion pair recognition has blossomed during the past decades. Several smaller reviews on the topic were published roughly 5 years ago. They provided a summary of synthetic progress and detailed the various limiting ion recognition modes displayed by both acyclic and macrocyclic ion pair receptors known at the time. The present review is designed to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the chemistry of macrocycle-based ion pair receptors. We specifically focus on the relationship between structure and ion pair recognition, as well as applications of ion pair receptors in sensor development, cation and anion extraction, ion transport, and logic gate construction.

Synthesis, crystal structure and remote allosteric binding properties of cone thiacalix[4]pseudocrown receptors bearing anthraquinone function and different arms

Herein, three novel cone thiacalix[4]pseudocrown receptors 1–3, bearing anthraquinone and triazole functions as well as different side arms, were successfully synthesized via a double click reaction as the key step.

Promising advances of thiacalix[4]arene in crystal structures

Thiacalix[4]arenes are one kind of robust scaffolds and extensively applied in supramolecular chemistry and materials science owing to their novel features.

Efficiency parameters in artificial allosteric systems

It is shown that the conformational energy ΔG_C required for the formation of a suitable cavity or cleft for ligand binding in absence of an effector E is the essential factor for the efficiency of synthetic allosteric systems with positive cooperativity.

Ion pair binding by an l-tyrosine-based polymerizable molecular receptor

A polymerizable molecular receptor able to bind ion pairs and new functional polymers containing the receptor units were synthesized and characterized.

Exocyclic self-assembly behavior of carboxylic acid and lariat ether macrocyclic hosts: regulation by pendent arm

An exocyclic supramolecular building block through O–H⋯N hydrogen bonding interaction for the assembly of di-sidearm dibenzo-diazacrown ethers bearing a flexibility sidearm with PTA acid.