Porous Capsules Allow Pore Opening and Closing That Results in Cation Uptake

Abstract

Popping corks: The protonated urea ions (C black, N/O green) that cork the pores of a polyoxomolybdate capsule (Mo blue, O red) can be reversibly removed allowing the entry of Ca2+ ions (pink) into the capsule. This process resembles the functioning of gated calcium channels in cell membranes.