The X-ray structure of the ClC chloride channel made it clear that O-H...chloride interactions play a key role in important biological membrane-bound systems, however, surprisingly this type of interaction has only been rarely exploited for the development of synthetic anion receptors. This paper therefore reports the anion binding strengths and selectivities of some simple commercially available bis-phenols. In particular, we compare catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) and resorcinol (1,3-dihydroxybenzene) which show interesting and different selectivities between the halide anions in acetonitrile solution. Catechol binds tetrabutylammononium (TBA) chloride almost 30 times more strongly than TBA bromide, whilst for resorcinol, this difference drops to a factor of ca. 3.5. It is suggested that this is a consequence of the bite angle of the chelating hydrogen bonding groups of catechol being particularly appropriate for effective binding of the smaller anion. The oxidation of catechol to ortho-quinone is perturbed by the addition of chloride anions, as probed via cyclic voltammetry, and this compound can therefore be considered to act as an electrochemical sensor for chloride. Nitrocatechol is able to bind chloride anions more strongly than catechol as a consequence of its enhanced acidity and hence greater hydrogen bond donor character. Furthermore, nitrocatechol senses the bound anion via changes in its UV-visible spectrum. Notably, binding still occurs even in the presence of small amounts of competitive solvents (e.g. water). This observation has biomimetic importance as wet acetonitrile has some similarity in terms of overall polarity and hydrogen bond competition to the solvent shielded interiors of biological macromolecules and membranes--such as the environment within the ClC chloride channel itself. Finally, we report that catechol undergoes a unique colorimetric response on the addition of basic anions, such as fluoride. We can assign this response as being due to oxidative degradation of catechol catalysed by the basic anions (which bind to, and deprotonate, the catechol). This process is somewhat analogous to the well-known metal catalysed oxidation of catechol which can take place in aqueous solution. The speed of response and easily monitored and distinctive colour change induced by fluoride anions indicates this may be a useful mechanism for exploitation in the development of selective fluoride sensors.

This paper reports a series of chloride anion receptors containing two catechol head groups connected through their ortho-positions via a spacer chain. The linking group chosen to attach the spacer chain to the catechol units has a major impact on the anion-binding potential of the receptor. Linking groups that are capable of forming stable six-membered intramolecular hydrogen-bonded rings with the catechol O-H groups significantly inhibit the ability of the catechol units to hydrogen bond to chloride anions. However, where the linking groups are only capable of forming five- or seven-membered intramolecular hydrogen-bonded rings, then anion binding via hydrogen bonding through the catechol O-H groups becomes a possibility. This process is solvent dependent; the presence of competitive solvent (e.g., DMSO-d6) disrupts the intramolecular hydrogen-bonding pattern and enhances anion binding relative to simple unfunctionalized catechol. The most effective receptor is that in which the hydrogen-bonding linker (-CH2CONH-) is most distant from the catechol units and can only form a seven-membered intramolecular hydrogen-bonded ring. In this case, the receptor, which contains two catechol units, is a more effective chloride anion binder than simple unfunctionalized catechol, demonstrating that the two head groups, in combination with the N-H groups in the linker, act cooperatively and enhance the degree of anion binding. In summary, this paper provides insight into the hydrogen-bonding patterns in ortho-functionalized catechols and the impact these have on the potential of the catechol O-H groups to hydrogen bond to a chloride anion.

We report a receptor with an encapsulated amine/amide binding site, which binds HCl with high affinity in organic media--the rate of HCl transport through an apolar phase is controlled by the degree of encapsulation of the HCl binding site.