Hosts for Anion Binding and Fullerene Complexation

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With the support of the Organic Dynamics Program, Professor Jerry L. Atwood, of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Missouri - Columbia, carries out the synthesis of host compounds designed to bind anions and to complex fullerenes. Studies of calix(4)arenes, calix(5)arenes, and cyclotriveratrylenes which have been metallated on the outer pi faces contribute to a fundamental understanding of the factors influencing the binding of anions. Development of metallated deep cavity analogs, which are constructed by versatile self-assembly processes, affords enhanced anion binding agents. Synthesis of calixarene and cyclotriveratrylene hosts designed to match the size, shape, and electrostatic requirements of specific fullerenes offer the opportunity to devise fullerene-selective complexing agents. Recent years have seen rapid growth in studies of the ways in which neutral molecules and positively-charged ions may be specifically recognized and bound by molecules designed for this purpose. Such studies have had a wide range of implications, including advances in understanding of critical molecule-molecule and molecule-ion interactions in biological systems as well as development of practical methods for the separation and purification of materials. Corresponding developments for the binding of negatively-charged ions, in contrast, have been comparatively slow to appear. Professor Jerry L. Atwood, of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Missouri - Columbia, with the support of the Organic Dynamics Program, synthesizes organic molecules designed to recognize and bind anions through a combination of specific chemical interactions. Related systems offer the opportunity to effect analogous recognition of various fullerenes (`Buckyballs`), providing further insights into the nature of molecule-molecule interaction as well as techniques for the separation and purification of various members of the fullerene family.