Dual Binding Modes of a Small Cavitand

Selective anion sensing in high salt water via a remote indicator displacement assay

“…Gibb has shown that smaller, rigid cavitands can bind anions in water at the lower rim “crown”, in close proximity with cationic R-NMe 3 + ions. 12 This recognition mechanism introduces another possibility: using the bowl-shaped cavity to bind an indicator molecule, then exploiting lower rim anion binding to cause a change in fluorescence response and allowing optical detection of anions. Here we show that cationic, flexible self-folding deep cavitands can selectively bind anions in water and high-salt buffer, and can be used for selective optical anion sensing.…”