Molecular Probes of Cation-Arene Interactions

本研究的重点是研究通过合成离子通道运输的碱金属阳离子之间的相互作用，以及构成离子通道的芳烃功能。由不同长度的间隔物连接的diaza-18-crown-6亚基组成的合成通道将被合成，以确定作为离子通道所需的最小长度。不同的芳烃将附着在通道开口上，并通过对间隔物的合成改性，纳入通道内部，以阐明芳烃-阳离子相互作用对通道内钠离子和钾离子运输的影响。参与研究的研究生和本科生将被介绍通过模型化合物和合成裁剪这些化合物来研究过程中涉及的特定相互作用来建模一个重要的自然过程。通过这个奖项，有机和大分子化学项目支持华盛顿大学医学院分子生物学和药理学系主任George Gokel博士的研究和教育活动。Gokel博士将把他的研究重点放在大分子系统的合成上，这些大分子系统是由一些由分子间隔物连接的等量环状亚基组成的，总的来说，这些间隔物被称为离子通道。这些分子系统，模仿自然发生的生物系统，将被综合修改，以探索影响钠离子和钾离子通过通道运动的特定相互作用。Gokel博士的教育活动将包括培训研究生和本科生如何合成这些模型系统，以及它们作为离子导体的特性。

This research focuses on examining the role of the interactions between alkali metal cations being transported through synthetic ion channels, and the arene functionalities that make up the ion channel. Synthetic channels composed of diaza-18-crown-6 subunits connected by spacers of various lengths will be synthesized to define the minimum length needed to function as an ion channel. Different arenes will be attached to the channel opening, and by synthetic modification of the spacers, incorporated into the channel interiors to elucidate the effect of arene-cation interactions on sodium and potassium ion transport within the channel. Graduate and undergraduates students involved in the research will be introduced to modeling an important, natural process by means of model compounds and synthetically tailoring these compounds to examine specific interactions involved in the process. With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports the research and educational activities of Dr. George Gokel of the Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology at the Washington University School of Medicine. Dr Gokel will focus his research on the synthesis of macromolecular systems composed of a number of equivalent cyclic subunits connected by molecular spacers that, in toto, are referred to as ion channels. These molecular systems, which mimic naturally occuring biological systems, will be synthetically modified to explore a specific interaction that affects the movement of sodium and potassium ions through the channel. Dr. Gokel's educational activities will involve training graduate and undergraduate students in the syntheses of these model systems, and their characterization as ion conductors.