Tuning the strength and selectivity of ion-pair recognition using heteroditopic calix[4]arene-based receptors

Abstract

The syntheses, characterisation and ion binding properties of two novel heteroditopic calix[4]arene receptors are reported. These systems were found to demonstrate cooperative binding of certain ion-pairs, with the selectivity depending critically on the structure of the receptors. Furthermore, a macrocyclic effect for ion-pair recognition was observed to operate.