Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.135, No.22, 8324-8330, 2013
Quantification of Nitrate-pi Interactions and Selective Transport of Nitrate Using Calix[4]pyrroles with Two Aromatic Walls
Herein we disclose the results investigations regarding the interactions between the biologically relevant nitrate oxoanion and several "two-wall" aryl-extended calix[4]pyrroles. There exists a clear relationship between the electronic nature of the aromatic walls of the calix[4]pyrroles and the stability of the nitrate subset of calix[4]pyrrole complex. This suggests that NO3--pi interactions have an important electrostatic component. We provide energetic estimates for the interaction of nitrate with several phenyl derivatives. Additionally, we report solid-state evidence for a preferred binding geometry of the nitrate anion included in the calix[4]pyrroles. Finally, the "two-wall" aryl-extended calix[4]-pyrroles show excellent activity in ion transport through lipid-based lamellar membranes. Notably the best anion transporters are highly selective for transport of nitrate over other anions.