Self-assembled ionophores: Structure and function

ORGN 221

Jeffery T. Davis, Xiaodong Shi, Frank W. Kotch, Vladimir Sidorov, and James C. Fettinger. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
We are using an approach for selective ion coordination that also enables formation of defined and functional assemblies. The method relies on self-assembly, where the ion serves as a template to bring together multiple organic ligands for its own encapsulation. The ligands, lipophilic nucleosides and related compounds, have self-complementary hydrogen bonding edges and extended aromatic surfaces that allow formation of both macrocyclic and tubular receptors. Our major goals are: 1) to understand structural, stereochemical and dynamic factors that control self-association and ion binding; 2) to tune kinetic stability to allow the regioselective modification of these assemblies; and 3) to design systems that selectively bind and transport cations, anions and ion pairs.