Flexible “Arms” and Anion Recognition

Ryan N. Robson, Benjamin P. Hay, Frederick M. Pfeffer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fused [3]polynorbornanes functionalised with flexible ethylenethiourea “arms” were investigated as hosts for binding the structural isomers terephthalate and isophthalate. It was intuitively thought that the flexibility of the arms would ensure strong binding of both species. However, both solution and in-silico experiments confirmed much stronger binding of isophthalate. Of interest, molecular modelling indicated that the arms possessed only limited flexibility. Counterintuitively this work indicates that this host, despite the flexible arms, is actually highly preorganised and adopts a remarkably similar structure when binding both guests and it is only the hydrogen bonding interactions that vary.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4605-4608
Number of pages4
JournalChemistrySelect
Volume2
Issue number17
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Jun 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anion Recognition
  • Binding Conformation
  • Host:Guest Chemistry
  • Molecular Modelling
  • Supramolecular Chemistry

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