Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Gated Ion Transporters

Pores Formed by Bis-macrocyclic Bola-amphiphiles in Vesicle and Planar Bilayer Membranes

“…The extent of structural similarity is much lower, due to a tremendous disparity in size and complexity between synthetic and biological transporters. Although artificial transport systems may illuminate details of the biological ion translocation process, an immediate potential is in applications to separations, pharmaceuticals, drug-delivery systems, sensors, and other devices …”

Artificial ion channels formed by a synthetic cyclic peptide

“…A desire to understand the structure−function relationship of complex channel proteins has led to extensive studies of synthetic compounds as models of naturally occurring transmembrane ion channels (1–6). In addition, their potential use in separations, drug‐delivery systems, biosensors and other devices stimulate interest in the preparation of synthetic transport systems (7,8). Cyclic and β‐helical peptides with the ( l , d ) n pattern of configuration form ‘hollow’ ion channels in lipid bilayers.…”

On the Synthesis of Monoamides of 18-Crown-6-tetracarboxylic Acid

“…Elements of the design are discussed elsewhere. 9 We envisaged a capping reaction of bis-anhydride 4 with an amino alcohol (11) followed by selective hydrolysis of the ester 12 to give 13 which could then be further functionalized to 14 and thence to channel materials by esterification of the remaining carboxylates. Since imide formation is a known complication which prevents any further reaction to give amide esters, 7a the amine 11 must be secondary.…”

“…As part of an ongoing plan to modify our ion channels to allow switching, the monoamide triacid 14 was designed to integrate a photoswitch. Elements of the design are discussed elsewhere …”