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Potassium Selective Calix[4]semitubes
Author(s) -
Webber Philip R. A.,
Cowley Andrew,
Drew Michael G. B.,
Beer Paul D.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.200204518
Subject(s) - selectivity , calixarene , chemistry , potassium , ionophore , alkali metal , ether , crown ether , molecule , ethylene , metal , crystallography , medicinal chemistry , stereochemistry , inorganic chemistry , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , calcium , ion , catalysis
A new class of ionophore consisting of two calix[4]arene units linked through the lower rim by two ethylene chains, in combination with propyl ether and phenolic functional groups, has been developed. These calix[4]semitube molecules exhibit remarkable selectivity and fast complexation kinetics for potassium over all Group 1 metal cations. Molecular modelling studies, using structural models derived from crystallographic data, suggest the potassium cation is complexed by a horizontal, side‐on route and not through the calix[4]arene annulus. The length of the bridging alkylene chain between the respective calix[4]arenes of the semitube structure dictates the strength and selectivity of alkali metal cation binding.