Remarkably selective, non-linear allosteric regulation of anion binding by a tetracationic calix[4]pyrrole homodimer

Abstract

A covalently coupled, dimeric tetra-cationic calix[4]pyrrolehomodimer bearing anthracene linkers displayed distinctive cooperativity and fluoride selectivity with positive allosterism. The exclusive and successive binding of fluoride anions is accompanied by large 'turn-on' fluorescence (K2/K1 = 311).