New insights and discoveries in anion receptor chemistry

Abstract

The bigger pictureAnions are atoms or molecules that carry a negative charge and play roles in almost all biological processes and industrial environments. Anion receptor chemistry exploits non-covalent interactions to coordinate, sense, and manipulate anions, leading to the development of several real-world applications. The sequestration of nitrates, phosphates, and other toxic anions from environmental sources is of huge ecological benefit and could lead to the sustainable recycling of anionic guests. Supramolecular motifs are used extensively to sense physiologically relevant anions, including chloride and ATP. Furthermore, transmembrane anionophores can facilitate the movement of anions across phospholipid membranes. These systems can induce apoptosis in cancer cells or provide therapeutic relief to future generations of patients with channelopathies, such as cystic fibrosis, by providing an alternate pathway of anion transmembrane flux.SummaryThis review offers a broad overview of the advancements in anion receptor chemistry in 2021 and 2022. Detailed examples of acclaimed work in fundamental recognition, sensing and detection, catalysis, self-assembly, extraction, and transmembrane transport are included.Graphical abstract