Squalyl Crown Ether Self‐Assembled Conjugates: An Example of Highly Selective Artificial K+ Channels

The natural KcsA K⁺ channel, one of the best‐characterized biological pore structures, conducts K⁺ cations at high rates while excluding Na⁺ cations. The KcsA K⁺ channel is of primordial inspiration for the design of artificial channels. Important progress in improving conduction activity and K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity has been achieved with artificial ion‐channel systems. However, simple artificial systems exhibiting K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity and mimicking the biofunctions of the KcsA K⁺ channel are unknown. Herein, an artificial ion channel formed by H‐bonded stacks of squalyl crown ethers, in which K⁺ conduction is highly preferred to Na⁺ conduction, is reported. The K⁺‐channel behavior is interpreted as arising from discreet stacks of dimers resulting in the formation of oligomeric channels, in which transport of cations occurs through macrocycles mixed with dimeric carriers undergoing dynamic exchange within the bilayer membrane. The present highly K⁺‐selective macrocyclic channel can be regarded as a biomimetic alternative to the KcsA channel.     

Combinatorial Screening of Water/Proton Permeation of Self-Assembled Pillar[5]arene Artificial Water Channel Libraries

Artificial water channels (AWCs) that selectively transport water and reject ions through bilayer membranes have potential to act as synthetic Aquaporins (AQPs). AWCs can have a similar osmotic permeability, better stability, with simpler manufacture on a larger-scale and have higher functional density and surface permeability when inserted into the membrane. Here, we report the screening of combinatorial libraries of symmetrical and unsymmetrical rim-functionalized PAs A – D that are able to transport ca. 10⁷–10⁸ water molecules/s/channel, which is within 1 order of magnitude of AQPs’ and show total ion and proton rejection. Among the four channels, C and D are 3–4 times more water permeable than A and B when inserted in bilayer membranes. The binary combinations of A – D with different molar ratios could be expressed as an independent (linear ABA ), a recessive (inhibition AB , AC , DB , ACA ), or a dominant (amplification, DBD ) behavior of the water net permeation events.     

Cation‐Transporting Peptides: Scaffolds for Functionalized Pores?

Protein pores that selectively transport ions across membranes are among nature’s most efficient machines. The selectivity of these pores can be exploited for ion sensing and water purification. Since it is difficult to reconstitute membrane proteins in their active form for practical applications it is desirable to develop robust synthetic compounds that selectively transport ions across cell membranes. One can envision tuning the selectivity of pores by incorporating functional groups inside the pore. Readily accessible octapeptides containing (aminomethyl)benzoic acid and alanine are reported here that preferentially transport cations over halides across the lipid bilayer. Ion transport is hypothesized through pores formed by stable assemblies of the peptides. The aromatic ring(s) appear to be proximal to the pore and could be potentially utilized for functionalizing the pore interior.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Na2[RuNOCl5] · 6H2O

A procedure for the synthesis of Na₂[RuNOCl₅]·6H₂O is described. The complex was studied by IR spectroscopy and by thermal, X-ray phase, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Crystal data: a = 26.740(7), b = 31.581(7), c= 6.918(3) Å, V = 5842(3) ų space group Fdd2. Z = 16, d_calc= 2.103, d_exp = 2.112 g/cm³. The structure consists of [RuNOCl₅]^2? complex cations, Na⁺ cations, and crystallization water molecules. The compound is stable in conditions of high humidity of atmosphere but irreversibly loses up to four water molecules when stored in dry atmosphere. Removal of two water molecules is accompanied by crystal decay and changes in the crystal structure. Heating the substance above 100°C leads to a hygroscopic anhydrous complex Na₂[RuNOCl₅], which is stable below t = 375°C.     

Borate‐Driven Gatelike Scaffolding Using Mesoporous Materials Functionalised with Saccharides

We report the development of an MCM‐41 mesoporous support that is functionalised with saccharides at the pore outlets and contains the dye [Ru(bipy)₃]²⁺ in the pores (solid S1 ; bipy=2,2′‐bipyridyl). For this hybrid system, the inhibition of mass transport of the dye from the pore voids to the bulk solution in the presence of borate is demonstrated in water at neutral pH. The formation of the corresponding boroester derivative is related to the selective reaction of borate with the appended saccharides. This control is selective and only anion borate, among several anions and cations, can act as a molecular tap and inhibit the delivery of the entrapped guest. Additionally, the S1 –borate system behaves as pH‐controlled gatelike scaffolding. This pH‐responsive release can be achieved in an acidic pH (due to hydrolysis of the boroester), whereas the system remains closed at neutral pH. Molecular dynamic simulations using force‐field methods have been made to theoretically study the open/close borate‐driven mechanism. A mesoporous silica structure was constructed for this purpose, taking the plane (1?11) of the β‐cristobalite structure as a base on which hexagonal nanopores and anchored saccharide derivatives were included. The final model shows a highly flexible nanopore diameter of approximately 12.5 Å of similar size to the [Ru(bipy)₃]²⁺ complex (ca. 12 Å). However, the anchoring of borate to the appended saccharides results in a remarkable reduction of the pore size (down to ca. 6.4 Å) and a significant constraint in the flexibility and mobility of the saccharides. The theoretical calculations are in agreement with the experimental results and enable visualisation of the functional borate‐driven dye‐delivery‐inhibition outcome.     

2‐[6‐(1H‐Benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐pyridyl]‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium perchlorate monohydrate

The title compound, C₁₉H₁₄N₅⁺·ClO₄^?·H₂O, contains planar C₁₉H₁₄N₅⁺ cations, perchlorate anions and water mol­ecules. The two closest parallel cations (plane‐to‐plane distance of 3.41 Å), together with two neighbouring perchlorate anions and two water mol­ecules, form an electrically neutral quasi‐dimeric unit. Two acidic H atoms of the cation, both H atoms of the water mol­ecule, the N atoms of the imidazole rings and three of the four O atoms of the perchlorate anion are involved in the hydrogen‐bonding network within the dimeric unit. The remaining third acidic H atom of the imidazole rings and the water mol­ecules complete a two‐dimensional network of hydrogen bonds, thus forming puckered layers of dimers. The angle between the planes of two neighbouring dimeric units in the same layer is 33.25 (3)°.     

Crystal structure of oxonium <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>(O)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-(C)-dicyanobis(2-picolinato)cobaltate(III) hydrate: Two types of proton site

The trans(O)-cis(C)-bis(pyridine-2-carboxylato)dicyanocobaltate(III) ions, [Co(Pic)₂(CN)₂]^?, crystallize from acid medium with three water molecules per two crystallographically nonequivalent complexes whose charge is compensated by protons. One of the water molecules forms an oxonium ion (H₃O⁺) with a proton. The other two water molecules bound to each other through a short hydrogen bond O-H…O (2.403(2) Å) and thus forming (H₅O₂)⁺ cations is another proton site. The (H₃O)(H₅O₂)[Co(Pic)₂(CN)₂]₂ crystals are monoclinic: a = 10.7027(7) Å, b = 25.786(1) Å, c = 11.4865(8) Å, β = 91.411(9)°, Z = 4, space group P2₁/n.     

Accessibility of Lithium Cations in VSH-2 Zeotype: Structural Effects and Formation of Protonated Water Clusters

The accessibility of lithium cations in microporous vanadosilicate VSH-2Cs of composition Cs₂(VO)(Si₆O₁₄) ⋅ 3H₂O was investigated by Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction, Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory calculations. The topological symmetry of VSH-2Cs is described in space group Cmca. After Li-ion exchange, the structure of VSH-2Li adopted monoclinic symmetry (space group C2/c) with a=17.011(2) Å, b=8.8533(11) Å, c=12.4934(16) Å, β=91.677(4)°, V=1880.7(4) ų. The strong interactions between Li ions and oxygen-framework atoms drive the main deformation mechanism, which is based on cooperative rotation of SiO₄ and VO₅ units around their oxygen atoms that behave as hinges. Exchange of Cs⁺ by Li⁺ is incomplete and accompanied by the formation of protonated species to counterbalance the electrostatic charge. The incorporation of protons is mediated by the presence of water dimers in the structural channels. H₂O molecules in VSH-2Li account not only as “space-fillers” after the removal of large Cs ions but also mediate proton transfer to compensate the negative charge of the host vanadosilicate framework.     

Transport properties of thermo-responsive ion track membranes

The permeation of orange G (MW 452), methylene blue (MW 319), and bovine albumin (MW 68000), through thermo-responsive ion track membranes was studied. For this purpose, poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (poly-NIPAAm) hydro-gel was chemically grafted onto single/multi-pore ion track membranes of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET).The local transport properties were studied by measuring the electrical current through single pore membranes. It was found that the incorporation of the hydro-gel into the pores does not influence the phase transition temperature. The switching of the responsive membrane was reversible over 200 switching cycles applied during 30–50 days. The closed pores represent a physical barrier excluding organic molecules larger than 2±0.2 nm. This fact is based on the size exclusion method using mixtures of polyethylene glycol (PEG) of various molecular weights and 0.1 N potassium chloride.The global transport properties were studied using multi-pore membranes with 5×10⁵ to 5×10⁷ pores per cm² and pore diameters between 0.6 and 4.5 μm. For bovin insulin permeation in the open state was 35 times above the level of the closed state corresponding to the detection limit of the used permeation cell. In the open state the transport rates of the solvent and the solute were identical implying that the free space in the open pores was larger than the size of the permeating bovine albumin molecules (about 7.3 nm). The linear relation between pressure and mass current enabled to determine an effective open-pore diameter between 0.2 and 1 μm. In the open state, the membrane this is not molecular selective.     

State of water in amorphous silica samples from rice hulls: A <Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR study

Behavior of molecules of adsorbed water in rice hulls, weevil, and amorphous samples of carbon-containing (carbonized, SiO₂ content 47%) and pure silica was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy in the temperature range from 200 to 298 K. The temperature dependence of the signal intensity from humid samples shows a decrease in temperature of freezing of the adsorbed water and presence of unfrozen water. This dependence was used for estimating the pore size distribution. For pure amorphous silica, the pore diameter is in the range from 50 to 150 Å with a maximum at about 85 Å.     

Structure‐Driven Selection of Adaptive Transmembrane Na+ Carriers or K+ Channels

Self‐assembled alkyl‐ureido‐benzo‐15‐crown‐5‐ethers are selective ionophores for K⁺ cations, which are preferred to Na⁺ cations. The transport mechanism is determined by the optimal coordination rather than classical dimensional compatibility between the crown ether hole and the cation diameter. Herein, we demonstrate that systematic changes of the structure lead to unexpected modifications in the cation‐transport activity and suffice to produce adaptive selection. We show that the main contribution to performance arises from optimal constraints on the conformational freedom, which are determined by the binding macrocycles, the nature of the hydrogen‐bonding groups, and the hydrophobic tails. Simple changes to the flexible 15‐crown‐5‐ether lead to selective carriers for Na⁺. Hydrophobic stabilization of the channels through mutual interactions between lipids and variable hydrophobic tails appears to be an important cause of increased activity. Oppositely, restricted translocation is achieved when constrained hydrogen‐bonded macrocyclic relays are less dynamic in a pore superstructure.     

Voltage‐Driven Reversible Insertion into and Leaving from a Lipid Bilayer: Tuning Transmembrane Transport of Artificial Channels

Three new artificial transmembrane channel molecules have been designed and synthesized by attaching positively charged Arg‐incorporated tripeptide chains to pillar[5]arene. Fluorescent and patch‐clamp experiments revealed that voltage can drive the molecules to insert into and leave from a lipid bilayer and thus switch on and off the transport of K⁺ ions. One of the molecules was found to display antimicrobial activity toward Bacillus subtilis with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 10 μM which is comparable to that of natural channel‐forming peptide alamethicin.     

Hydration of the H<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Li<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, and Cs<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions in MF-4SK perfluorinated sulfonic acid cation-exchange membranes modified with inorganic dopants

The hydration, state, and mobility of protons and Li⁺, Na⁺, and Cs⁺ ions in MF-4SK perfluorinated sulfonic acid cation-exchange membranes doped with silicon dioxide and phosphotungstic acid have been investigated by NMR and impedance spectroscopy. The dopants increase the moisture content of the membrane and change the system of pores and channels in which ion transport takes place. At low humidities, the dopant particles are involved in ion transport. The greatest effect is observed for the membranes doped with both SiO₂ and phosphotungstic acid. The water molecules sorbed by dopant particles as a material participate in the hydration of alkali metal cations in the membrane.     

Crystal structure and spectroscopic properties of ammonium hydrogensquarate squaric acid monohydrate

The structure of ammonium hydrogensquarate squaric acid monohydrate has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c and exhibits a 3D network with molecules linked by intermolecular interactions with participation of the H₂Sq, HSq^?, NH₄ ⁺, and H₂O species. The HSq^? anion and the neutral H₂Sq form a strong head-to-tail dimer through O–H···O hydrogen bonding with lengths of 2.587 and 2.494 Å (protected space between numeral and unit). The layers are connected by ammonium cations and water molecules in a plane through the O···N (2.950, 2.978, 3.036 Å) and O···O (2.953, 2.781 Å) bonds. Another such layer is connected to the NH₄ ⁺ cation in the adjacent plane through bifurcated N–H···O hydrogen-bonding to form a double layer (NH···O bond lengths are 3.036, 2.978, 2.857, 2.909, 2.958, and 2.742 Å, respectively). The IR-band assignment of the compound was achieved using the polarized IR-spectroscopy of oriented colloids in a nematic host. Theoretical ab initio calculations were performed and achieved with a view to explain the IR-bands of the H₂Sq.HSq^? motif.     

K2[Hg(SO3)2]·2.25H2O

The characteristic feature of the structure of the title compound, dipotassium bis(sulfito‐κS)mercurate(II) 2.25‐hydrate, is a layered arrangement parallel to (001) where each of the two independent [Hg(SO₃)₂]²⁻ anions are grouped into centrosymmetric pairs and are surrounded by two K⁺ cations to give the overall layer composition {K₂[Hg(SO₃)₂]₂}²⁻. The remaining cations and the uncoordinated water molecules are situated between these layers. Within the [Hg(SO₃)₂]²⁻ anions, the central Hg atoms are twofold coordinated by S atoms, with a mean Hg—S bond length of 2.384 (2) Å. The anions are slightly bent [174.26 (3) and 176.99 (3)°] due to intermolecular O...Hg interactions greater than 2.8 Å. All coordination polyhedra around the K⁺ cations are considerably distorted, with coordination numbers ranging from six to nine. Although the H atoms of the five water molecules (one with symmetry 2) could not be located, O...O separations between 2.80 and 2.95 Å suggest a system of medium to weak O—H...O hydrogen bonds which help to consolidate the structural set‐up. Differences and similarities between the bis(sulfito‐κS)mercurate(II) anions in the title compound and those in the related salts (NH₄)₂[Hg(SO₃)₂] and Na₂[Hg(SO₃)₂]·H₂O are discussed.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the First Thallium Hydrous Nesosilicate Tl4SiO4·0.5H2O

Orange prismatic crystals of the first thallium hydrous nesosilicate Tl₄SiO₄·0.5H₂O have been obtained by evaporation from aqueous solution. There are three symmetrically independent Tl⁺ cations and five symmetrically independent oxygen atoms in the structure of Tl₄SiO₄·0.5H₂O. The O(4) and O(5) atoms belong to water molecules. Coordination polyhedra of the Tl⁺ cations are strongly distorted because of the stereoactive behavior of lone electron pairs. The structure of Tl₄SiO₄·0.5H₂O contains sheets of SiO₄ tetrahedra and Tl coordination polyhedra. The sheets have the composition [Tl₃SiO₄]^– and are parallel to [100]. Within the sheets, SiO₄ tetrahedra link to thallium polyhedra though common corners. The sheets are linked by dimers of face‐sharing Tl(3)O₅ polyhedra, thus providing interconnection of the sheets into a framework. The framework has large elliptical channels occupied by water molecules (OW2) and electron pairs of Tl⁺ cations.The comparison with some other M⁺ (M = K, Ag, Tl) silicates is given.     

Polypyridine-Based Helical Amide Foldamer Channels: Rapid Transport of Water and Protons with High Ion Rejection

Synthetic strategies that enable rapid construction of covalent organic nanotubes with an angstrom-scale tubular pore remain scarcely reported. Reported here is a remarkably simple and mild one-pot polymerization protocol, employing POCl₃ as the polymerization agent. This protocol efficiently generates polypyridine amide foldamer-based covalent organic nanotubes with a 2.8 nm length at a yield of 50 %. Trapping single-file water chains in the 2.8 Å tubular cavity, rich in hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, these tubular polypyridine ensembles rapidly and selectively transport water at a rate of 1.6×10⁹ H₂O⋅S⁻¹⋅channel⁻¹ and protons at a speed as fast as gramicidin A, with a high rejection of ions.     

Formation of Long,Multicenter π‐[TCNE]22− Dimers in Solution: Solvation and Stability Assessed through Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Purely organic radical ions dimerize in solution at low temperature, forming long, multicenter bonds, despite the metastability of the isolated dimers. Here, we present the first computational study of these π‐dimers in solution, with explicit consideration of solvent molecules and finite temperature effects. By means of force‐field and ab initio molecular dynamics and free energy simulations, the structure and stability of π‐[TCNE]₂^2? (TCNE=tetracyanoethylene) dimers in dichloromethane have been evaluated. Although the dimers dissociate at room temperature, they are stable at 175 K and their structure is similar to the one in the solid state, with a cofacial arrangement of the radicals at an interplanar separation of approximately 3.0 Å. The π‐[TCNE]₂^2? dimers form dissociated ion pairs with the NBu₄⁺ counterions, and their first solvation shell comprises approximately 20 CH₂Cl₂ molecules. Among them, the eight molecules distributed along the equatorial plane of the dimer play a key role in stabilizing the dimer through bridging C?H???N contacts. The calculated free energy of dimerization of TCNE ^{. ?} in solution at 175 K is ?5.5 kcal mol^?1. These results provide the first quantitative model describing the pairing of radical ions in solution, and demonstrate the key role of solvation forces on the dimerization process.     

Dimeric Capsules Formed by Tetra‐CMPO Derivatives of (Thia)Calix[4]arenes

Thiacalix[4]arene 2 , calix[4]arene 3 a and its tetraether fixed in the cone conformation 3 b form homo‐ and heterodimeric capsules in apolar solvents, which are held together by a seam of NH???O=P hydrogen bonds between carbamoylmethyl phospine oxide functions attached to their wide rim. Their internal volume of ～370 ų requires the inclusion of a suitable guest. Although neutral molecules such as adamantane (derivatives) or tetraethylammonium cations form kinetically stable complexes (¹H‐ and ³¹P‐time scale), the included solvent is rapidly exchanged. The internal mobility of the included tetraethylammonium cation is distinctly higher (ΔG=42.5 and 49.7 kJ mol^?1 for 3 a and 3 b ) than that for similar capsules of tetraurea calix[4]arenes 1 . Mixtures of 1 with 2 , 3 a , or 3 b contain only the two homodimers but the heterodimerization occurs with the tetraloop tetraurea 6 , which cannot form homodimers. Two dimers with cationic guests ( 2? (C₅H₅)₂Co⁺ ?2 and 3 a? Et₃NH⁺ ? H₂O ?3 a ) were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis.     

A 16‐connected three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network in tetrakis(4‐aminopyridinium) perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylate octahydrate

The novel title organic salt, 4C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₂₄H₈O₈⁴⁻·8H₂O, was obtained from the reaction of perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic acid (H₄ptca) with 4‐aminopyridine (4‐ap). The asymmetric unit contains half a perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylate (ptca⁴⁻) anion with twofold symmetry, two 4‐aminopyridinium (4‐Hap⁺) cations and four water molecules. Strong N—H...O hydrogen bonds connect each ptca⁴⁻ anion with four 4‐Hap⁺ cations to form a one‐dimensional linear chain along the [010] direction, decorated by additional 4‐Hap⁺ cations attached by weak N—H...O hydrogen bonds to the ptca⁴⁻ anions. Intermolecular O—H...O interactions of water molecules with ptca⁴⁻ and 4‐Hap⁺ ions complete the three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network. From the viewpoint of topology, each ptca⁴⁻ anion acts as a 16‐connected node by hydrogen bonding to six 4‐Hap⁺ cations and ten water molecules to yield a highly connected hydrogen‐bonding framework. π–π interactions between 4‐Hap⁺ cations, and between 4‐Hap⁺ cations and ptca⁴⁻ anions, further stabilize the three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network.