Recognition of dicarboxylates in aqueous acetonitrile by a dinuclear zinc(II) complex of 2,2’-binaphthalene-based receptor

A chiral spirobifluorene-based bis(salen) zinc(ii) receptor towards highly enantioselective binding of chiral carboxylates

We have designed a new chiral receptor based on two salen zinc(ii) complex units connected with a spirobifluorene framework. The chiral receptor is proven to enantioselectively bind chiral carboxylate guests and the differences between the binding constants of enantiomeric guests were up to more than one order of magnitude.

Molecular recognition and sensing of dicarboxylates and dicarboxylic acids

The recognition and detection of dicarboxylic acids and dicarboxylates is of significance for a wide variety of applications, including medical diagnosis, monitoring of health and of environmental contaminants, and in industry. Hence small molecule receptors and sensors for dicarboxylic acids and dicarboxylates have great potential for applications in these fields. This review outlines the challenges faced in the recognition and detection of these species, strategies that have been used to obtain effective and observable interactions with dicarboxylic acids and dicarboxylates, and progress made in this field in the period from 2014 to 2020.