Keynote
Hetero-Bambusurils: Novel Anion Transporters

The exchange of anions between the living cell and its environment is one of the most fundamental life sustaining phenomena. Hence, the design of synthetic anion transporters and channels is essential not only for gaining insight on how natural ion carriers and channels work, but also for practical applications in supra-molecular architecture, anion sensing, catalysis and therapeutics. Calculations with various glycoluril and bambusuril analogs predicted that heteroatom replacements would significantly alter their molecular electrostatic potential and binding properties, exhibiting a general trend of affinity among the neutral molecules: X = S > O > NH. This study predicted that protonated aza-bambusurils would bind multiple anions and could function as synthetic anion channels. The predictions were confirmed experimentally by synthesis, crystallography, thermogravimetry and calorimetry of hetero-bambusurils, which were found to be unique anion binders. Semithiobambus[6]uril was found to be an efficient transmembrane anion transporter. Solid-state structures of semiaza-bambusurils exhibit simultaneous accommodation of three anions, linearly positioned within their cavity.

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