Observation of Transient Alkali Metal Inclusion in Oxacalix[3]arenes

Abstract

Oxacalix[3]arenes exhibit transient binding to Na+, K+ and Ca2+, with a strong preference for Na+, as determined by a quartz crystal resonant sensor technique. Computational models for the behaviour indicate that the preference for Na+ is due to the depth to which that cation is drawn into the macrocycle's central cavity.