Albert Firestone

The Hexagonal Lattice Approach to Molecular Receptors

We have shown that the hexagonal lattice architecture may be used to construct hosts with high affinity for cations and neutral molecules. These planar receptors are easily synthesized, they form complexes rapidly and they show considerable potential for selectivity towards planar guest molecules.

Exceptionally stable alkali metal complexes of a torand

According to 1H NMR competition studies, tri-n-butyl torand (5), an open-face ligand, binds sodium and potassium trifluoromethanesulphonate more strongly than encapsulating ligands like [2.2.1]- and [2.2.2]-cryptand.