Tunable Anion Recognition at the Lower Rim of Resorcin[4]arenes: Strength, Selectivity, and Transport.

ABSTRACT: Selective anion binding and transport are crucial in many chemical and biological settings. CH-bonding receptors-which rely on nonclassical CH···anion hydrogen bonds, offer a pH-independent alternative to conventional hosts; however, their design is challenged by the inherently weak nature of CH···anion interactions. In this study, we present modified resorcin[4]-arenes as versatile scaffolds to address this challenge. By introducing electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) at the upper rim, we convert π-electron-rich resorcin-[4]-arenes into potent anion receptors. A series of resorcin[4]-arenes bearing -Br, -CHO, -NO₂, and -CN substituents exhibit a systematic enhancement in anion binding affinity, reaching the highest value in the series for the CN-substituted receptor: K

SUBMITTER: Priyadarshini D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12569696 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature