Leonard Francis Lindoy

31: New Molecular Receptors for Small Molecules and Ions (1998)

Introduction

31: new molecular receptors for small molecules and ions (1998). Discover new macrocyclic and cage-like molecular receptors. Learn about their synthesis and selective host-guest complexation with metal cations and organic guests.

Abstract

Liversidge Research Lecture delivered before The Royal Society of New South Wales at Sydney University, 1st July, 1998. Reproduced by permission of the Royal Society of New South Wales from J. Proc. Roy. Soc. N.S.W., 1998, 131, 65-75."New macrocyclic and cage-like receptors have been synthesised. The host-guest complexation behaviour of these species with metal cations and, in one instance, organic guests has been investigated using a range of physical and computational techniques. Emphasis in these studies has been given to the development of systems showing selective host-guest complexation behaviour."

Review

This paper, presented as the Liversidge Research Lecture, offers a compelling overview of recent advancements in the field of molecular recognition, specifically focusing on the design and synthesis of novel receptor architectures. The core contribution lies in the development of new macrocyclic and cage-like hosts engineered to selectively bind small molecules and ions. While presented as a summary of work rather than a detailed experimental report, it successfully highlights a targeted effort to create sophisticated supramolecular systems capable of intricate host-guest interactions. The research described employs a robust methodology, combining a suite of physical and computational techniques to investigate the complexation behavior of these new receptors. This dual approach is crucial for both characterizing binding events experimentally and gaining theoretical insights into the factors governing selectivity. The primary focus of the studies is on metal cation recognition, a critical area with widespread applications, but the abstract also notes the exploration of organic guests in specific instances. A central and commendable objective articulated is the development of systems exhibiting highly selective host-guest complexation, a fundamental goal in advancing supramolecular chemistry. Overall, this lecture effectively showcases the sophisticated synthetic chemistry required to build complex molecular architectures with predefined binding properties. The emphasis on achieving selective recognition underscores the practical relevance of this work for potential applications in areas such as chemical sensing, separations, or environmental remediation. While the abstract points to significant progress in metal cation recognition, future publications expanding on the scope and mechanisms of organic guest complexation would further enrich the field, addressing a distinct set of challenges and opportunities within molecular recognition.

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