Functionalized Derivatives of Benzocrown Ethers, II. Supramolecular Complexes of <scp>L</scp>‐Amino Acids as Efficient Activators of the Zinc Enzyme Carbonic Anhydrase

Abstract

Abstract The preparation of a series of supramolecular complexes of the ammonium salt of 2,3,11,12‐bis[4‐(10‐aminodecylcarbonyl)]benzo‐18‐crown‐6 with different natural and non‐natural amino acids is reported. In all these ditopic supramolecular complexes, with the exception of the histidine derivative, the ammonium moiety of the amino acid is anchored by means of hydrogen bonds within the macrocyclic cavity of the host, whilst the carboxylate moiety interacts with the ammonium group of the derivatized crown ether. The new complexes act as very efficient activators of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (isozymes I and II).