Nucleophilic displacement on 4-nitrophenyl dimethyl phosphinate by ethoxide ion: alkali metal ion catalysis and mechanism

We report on a spectrophotometric kinetic study of the effect of Li(+) and K(+) cations on the ethanolysis of 4-nitrophenyl dimethylphosphinate () in ethanol at 25 [degree]C. The nucleophilic displacement reaction of with LiOEt and KOEt in the absence and presence of 18-crown-6 ether (18-C-6) furnished observed first-order rate constants which increase in the order EtO(-) < KOEt < LiOEt. The kinetic data are analyzed in terms of a scheme which assigns concurrent kinetic activity to free ethoxide and metal alkoxide, to obtain the second-order rate coefficients for reaction of the metal ion-ethoxide pairs, k(MOEt). Derived [small delta]G(ip), [small delta]G(ts) and [capital Delta]G(cat) values quantify ground state and transition state stabilization by the metal ions to give [small delta]G(ts) > [small delta]G(ip) for Li(+) and [small delta]G(ts)[similar][small delta]G(ip) for K(+). These results indicate moderate catalysis by Li(+), with manifesting lesser susceptibility to catalysis than other substrates previously studied. Second-order rate constants for the reaction of the aryl dimethylphosphinates with free EtO(-) were obtained from plots of log k(obs)vs. [KOEt], measured in the presence of excess 18-C-6. Hammett plots with [sigma] and [sigma][degree] substituent constants give significantly better correlation of rates than [sigma](-) and yield a moderately large [small rho]([small rho][degree]) value; this is interpreted in terms of a stepwise mechanism involving rate-limiting formation of a pentacoordinate intermediate. Comparison of the present results with those of Williams on the aqueous alkaline hydrolysis of Me(2)P(O)-OPhX and Ph(2)P(O)-OPhX esters, establishes the rationale for a change in mechanism in the more basic EtO(-)/EtOH nucleophile/solvent system by a stepwise mechanism instead of a concerted one in aqueous base. Structure-reactivity correlations following Jencks show that the change in mechanism is accounted for by cross interactions between the nucleophile and the leaving group in the transition state. The observed duality of mechanism is rationalized on the basis of the More O'Ferrall-Jencks diagram, as a spectrum of transition states covering a wide range of nucleophile and leaving group basicities.     

Generation and reactivity of simple chloro(aryl)carbenes within the cavities of nonacidic zeolites

A number of para-substituted chloro(aryl)carbenes are generated within the cavities of a series of dry alkali metal cation-exchanged zeolites (LiY, NaY, KY, RbY, and CsY) upon laser flash photolysis of the corresponding diazirine precursor. The absolute reactivity of the chloro(aryl)carbene is found to be strongly dependent on both the nature of the electron-donating and -withdrawing properties of the aryl substituent and the nature of the zeolite charge-balancing cations. The results strongly suggest that two opposing mechanisms for capture of the carbene can occur depending on whether the zeolite framework behaves as a nucleophilic reagent or an electrophilic reagent in its reaction with the carbene center. Hammett relationships for the decay of the carbene as a function of aryl substituent and zeolite counterion versus the sigma+ substituent parameter support a change in mechanism as the carbene center toggles between being electron poor and electron rich. For the electron-poor chloro(4-nitrophenyl)carbene, a framework adduct is proposed upon reaction of the nucleophilic [Si-O-Al]- bridge with the carbene center, and for the electron-rich chloro(4-methoxyphenyl)carbene, an adduct with the tight Li+ cation is proposed.     

Significant and differential acceleration of dephosphorylation of the insecticides, paraoxon and parathion, caused by alkali metal ethoxides

In the reaction of paraoxon with alkali metal ethoxides, ion-paired EtO-M+ species are more reactive than the dissociated EtO- with the reactivity order EtO-Li+ EtO-Na+ > EtO-K+ > EtO-, while in the reaction of parathion, the reactivity follows the order EtO-K+ > EtO- > EtO-Na+ > EtO-Li+.     

Alkali metal ion catalysis and inhibition in nucleophilic displacement reactions at phosphorus centers: ethyl and methyl paraoxon and ethyl and methyl parathion

We report on the ethanolysis of the P=O and P=S compounds ethyl and methyl paraoxon (1a and 1b) and ethyl and methyl parathion (2a and 2b). Plots of spectrophotometrically measured rate constants, kobsd versus [MOEt], the alkali ethoxide concentration, show distinct upward and downward curvatures, pointing to the importance of ion-pairing phenomena and a differential reactivity of free ions and ion pairs. Three types of reactivity and selectivity patterns have been discerned: (1) For the P=O compounds 1a and 1b, LiOEt > NaOEt > KOEt > EtO-; (2) for the P=S compound 2a, KOEt > EtO- > NaOEt > LiOEt; (3) for P=S, 2b, 18C6-crown-complexed KOEt > KOEt = EtO(-) > NaOEt > LiOEt. These selectivity patterns are characteristic of both catalysis and inhibition by alkali-metal cations depending on the nature of the electrophilic center, P=O vs P=S, and the metal cation. Ground-state (GS) vs transition-state (TS) stabilization energies shed light on the catalytic and inhibitory tendencies. The unprecedented catalytic behavior of crowned-K(+) for the reaction of 2b is noteworthy. Modeling reveals an extreme steric interaction for the reaction of 2a with crowned-K(+), which is responsible for the absence of catalysis in this system. Overall, P=O exhibits greater reactivity than P=S, increasing from 50- to 60-fold with free EtO(-) and up to 2000-fold with LiOEt, reflecting an intrinsic P=O vs P=S reactivity difference (thio effect). The origin of reactivity and selectivity differences in these systems is discussed on the basis of competing electrostatic effects and solvational requirements as function of anionic electric field strength and cation size (Eisenman's theory).     

Transition metal catalysis and nucleophilic fluorination

Transition metal catalyzed transformations using fluorinating reagents have been developed extensively for the preparation of synthetically valuable fluorinated targets. This is a topic of critical importance to facilitate laboratory and industrial chemical synthesis of fluorine containing pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Translation to (18)F-radiochemistry is also emerging as a vibrant research field because functional imaging based on Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is increasingly used for both diagnosis and pharmaceutical development. This review summarizes how fluoride sources have been used for the catalytic nucleophilic fluorination of various substrates inclusive of aryl triflates, alkynes, allylic halides, allylic esters, allylic trichloroacetimidates, benzylic halides, tertiary alkyl halides and epoxides. Until recently, progress in this field of research has been slow in part because of the challenges associated with the dual reactivity profile of fluoride (nucleophile or base). Despite these difficulties, some remarkable breakthroughs have emerged. This includes the demonstration that Pd(0)/Pd(II)-catalyzed nucleophilic fluorination to access fluoroarenes from aryl triflates is feasible, and the first examples of Tsuji-Trost allylic alkylation with fluoride using either allyl chlorides or allyl precursors bearing O-leaving groups. More recently, allylic fluorides were also made accessible under iridium catalysis. Another reaction, which has been greatly improved based on careful mechanistic work, is the catalytic asymmetric hydrofluorination of meso epoxides. Notably, each individual transition metal catalyzed nucleophilic fluorination reported to date employs a different F-reagent, an observation indicating that this area of research will benefit from a larger pool of nucleophilic fluoride sources. In this context, a striking recent development is the successful design, synthesis and applications of a fluoride-derived electrophilic late stage fluorination reagent. This new class of reagents could greatly benefit preclinical and clinical PET imaging.     

Alkali-metal-ion catalysis and inhibition in the nucleophilic displacement reaction of y-substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates and diphenylphosphinothioates with alkali-metal ethoxides: effect of changing the electrophilic center from P=O to P=S

A kinetic study of the nucleophilic substitution reaction of Y‐substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinothioates 2 a – g with alkali‐metal ethoxides (MOEt; M=Li, Na, K) in anhydrous ethanol at (25.0±0.1) °C is reported. Plots of pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (k_obsd) versus [MOEt], the alkali ethoxide concentration, show distinct upward (KOEt) and downward (LiOEt) curvatures, respectively, pointing to the importance of ion‐pairing phenomena and a differential reactivity of dissociated EtO^? and ion‐paired MOEt. Based on ion‐pairing treatment of the kinetic data, the k_obsd values were dissected into k and k_MOEt, the second‐order rate constants for the reaction with the dissociated EtO^? and ion‐paired MOEt, respectively. The reactivity of MOEt toward 2 b (Y=4‐NO₂) increases in the order LiOEt?NaOEt>KOEt>EtO^?. The current study based on Yukawa–Tsuno analysis has revealed that the reactions of 2 a – g (P?S) and Y‐substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates 1 a – g (P?O) with MOEt proceed through the same concerted mechanism, which indicates that the contrasting selectivity patterns are not due to a difference in reaction mechanism. The P?O compounds 1 a – g are approximately 80‐fold more reactive than the P?S compounds 2 a – g toward the dissociated EtO^? (regardless of the electronic nature of substituent Y) but are up to 3.1×10³‐fold more reactive toward ion‐paired LiOEt. The origin of the contrasting selectivity patterns is further discussed on the basis of competing electrostatic effects and solvational requirements as a function of anionic electric field strength and cation size (Eisenman’s theory).     

The solvent extraction of alkali metal picrates with 4,13-N,N'-dibenzyl-4,13-diaza-18-crown-6

Extraction of alkali metal picrates with N,N'-dibenzyl-18-crown-6 was carried out, with dichloromethane as water-immiscible solvent, as a function [ligand]/[metal cation]. The extractability of metal picrates (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+)) was evaluated as a function of [L]/[M(+)]. The extractability of complex cation-picrate ion pairs decreases in this sequence: Li(+)>Rb(+)>Cs(+)>K(+)>Na(+). The overall extraction equilibrium constants (K(ex)) for complexes of N,N'-dibenzyl-18-crown-6 with alkali metal picrates between dichloromethane and water have been determined at 25 degrees C. The values of the extraction constants (logK(ex)) were determined to be 10.05, 6.83, 7.12, 7.83, 6.73 for Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+) and Cs(+) compounds, respectively. DB186 shows almost 2-fold extractability against Li(+) compared to the other metal picrates, whereas it shows no obvious extractability difference amongst the other metal cations when [L]/[M(+)] is 0.2-1. However, an increasing extractability is observed for Cs(+) when [L]/[M(+)] [1].     

A simple model for metal cation-phosphate interactions in nucleic acids in the gas phase: Alkali metal cations and trimethyl phosphate

Threshold collision-induced dissociation techniques are employed to determine the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of complexes of alkali metal cations to trimethyl phosphate, TMP. Endothermic loss of the intact TMP ligand is the only dissociation pathway observed for all complexes. Theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory are used to determine the structures, vibrational frequencies, and rotational constants of neutral TMP and the M+(TMP) complexes. Theoretical BDEs are determined from single point energy calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,2p) level using the B3LYP/6-31G* optimized geometries. The agreement between theory and experiment is reasonably good for all complexes except Li+(TMP). The absolute M+-(TMP) BDEs are found to decrease monotonically as the size of the alkali metal cation increases. No activated dissociation was observed for alkali metal cation binding to TMP. The binding of alkali metal cations to TMP is compared with that to acetone and methanol.     

Porphyrin acidity and metal ion coordination revisited: electronic substitution effects

Macrocycle acidity and Zn²⁺ ion coordination are reported for three porphyrin derivatives which differ in both steric and electronic substitution effects on the macrocycle π-conjugated system. The role of the electronic substitution effects in the macrocycle deprotonation and metal ion chelating was found to be dominating whereas the macrocycle nonplanar distortions contribute to the acidity and metal chelation rate of the studied porphyrins in less extent. The contributions of both resonance and inductive electronic substitution effects have been distinguished based on the relationship between the weighted sum of resonance and inductive Hammett constants and the acidity and metal ion chelation rate.     

Fragmentation study of rutin, a naturally occurring flavone glycoside cationized with different alkali metal ions, using post-source decay matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

A post-source decay matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric (PSD-MALDI-MS) study of rutin, a naturally occurring flavone glycoside cationized with different alkali metal ions, is reported. The fragmentations of rutin were performed by selecting the [R + Cat]+ peaks for PSD, where R represents a rutin molecule and Cat an alkali metal ion (Li+, Na+, K+). The PSD-MALDI mass spectra showed, depending on Cat, different fragmentation patterns with respect to both the quality and quantity of the fragment ions formed. The intensity of fragmentation decreased in the order Li+ > Na+ > K+. The fragmentation mechanism and an explanation for the observed differences are suggested.     

Poly(ethylene glycol) doubly and singly cationized by different alkali metal ions: Relative cation affinities and cation-dependent resolution in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer

Structural information of gas phase complexes of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) cationized by one or two different alkali metal ions is inferred from MS and MS/MS experiments performed with an electrospray quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The rationale for selecting PEG was that its sites for cation binding are non-selective with respect to the repeating monomeric unit of the polymer, but there is selectivity with respect to the formation of an inner coordination sphere specific to each metal ion. The dissociation of [M1+ M2+ (EO23)], where EO23 = linear polymer of ethylene oxide, 23 units in length, resulted in loss of one of the alkali metal ions, with preference for loss of the larger cation, with no fragmentation of the PEG backbone for Na, K, Rb, and Cs. Li was not examined in this portion of the study. The selectivity for loss of the larger alkali metal ion was [Na+ K+ (EO23)] to [Na+ (EO23)] + K+ at 100%; [K+ Rb+ (EO23)] to [K+ (EO23)] + Rb+ at 93%; and [Rb+ Cs+ (EO23)] to [Rb+ (Eo23)] + Cs+ at 99%. The resolution of [M+ (EOx)] for x = 20-30 was dependent on the alkali metal ion, with the highest resolution observed for Cs+ and the lowest for Na+. These results are discussed with respect to the packing of the oxygen atoms on PEG (M.W.(avg) = 1000) around an alkali metal ion of different radius, and how this packing leads to an ensemble of unique structures, and therefore mobilities for [M+ (EOx)].     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of alkali metal cation interactions with hydroxyl side-chain amino acids

Absolute bond dissociation energies of serine (Ser) and threonine (Thr) to alkali metal cations are determined experimentally by threshold collision-induced dissociation of M+AA complexes, where M+=Li+, Na+, and K+ and AA=Ser and Thr, with xenon in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. Experimental results show that the binding energies of both amino acids to the alkali metal cations are very similar to one another and follow the order of Li+>Na+>K+. Quantum chemical calculations at three different levels, B3LYP, B3P86, and MP2(full), using the 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis set with geometries and zero-point energies calculated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level show good agreement with the experimental bond energies. Theoretical calculations show that all M+AA complexes have charge-solvated structures (nonzwitterionic) with [CO, N, O] tridentate coordination.     

50 years of superbases made from organolithium compounds and heavier alkali metal alkoxides

A review of reactions of organolithium compounds (RLi) with alkali metal alkoxides is presented. On the one hand, simple lithium alkoxides form adducts with RLi the reactivity of which differs only slightly from that of RLi. On the other hand, after mixing heavier alkali metal alkoxides (R’OM, M = Na, K, Rb, Cs) with RLi, a new system is formed, which has reactivity that dramatically exceeds that of the parent RLi. A metal interchange, according to the equation RLi + R’OM = RM + R’OLi, occurs in this system, giving rise to a superbase. This reaction is frequently used for the preparation of heavier alkali metal organometallic compounds. Similar metal interchange takes place between R’OM and compounds such as lithium amides and lithium enolates of ketones or esters, thus demonstrating the general nature of this procedure. Superbases react easily with many types of organic compounds (substrates), resulting in the formation of a heavier alkali metal derivative of the substrate (metalation). The metalated substrate can react in situ with an electrophile to yield the substituted substrate, a procedure that is frequently used in synthetic and polymer chemistry. An improved mechanism of metal interchange and reaction of superbases with substrates is proposed.      

Non-covalent interactions of alkali metal cations with singly charged tryptic peptides

The complexes formed by alkali metal cations (Cat(+) = Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+)) and singly charged tryptic peptides were investigated by combining results from the low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) and ion mobility experiments with molecular dynamics and density functional theory calculations. The structure and reactivity of [M + H + Cat](2+) tryptic peptides is greatly influenced by charge repulsion as well as the ability of the peptide to solvate charge points. Charge separation between fragment ions occurs upon dissociation, i.e. b ions tend to be alkali metal cationised while y ions are protonated, suggesting the location of the cation towards the peptide N-terminus. The low-energy dissociation channels were found to be strongly dependant on the cation size. Complexes containing smaller cations (Li(+) or Na(+)) dissociate predominantly by sequence-specific cleavages, whereas the main process for complexes containing larger cations (Rb(+)) is cation expulsion and formation of [M + H](+). The obtained structural data might suggest a relationship between the peptide primary structure and the nature of the cation coordination shell. Peptides with a significant number of side chain carbonyl oxygens provide good charge solvation without the need for involving peptide bond carbonyl groups and thus forming a tight globular structure. However, due to the lack of the conformational flexibility which would allow effective solvation of both charges (the cation and the proton) peptides with seven or less amino acids are unable to form sufficiently abundant [M + H + Cat](2+) ion. Finally, the fact that [M + H + Cat](2+) peptides dissociate similarly as [M + H](+) (via sequence-specific cleavages, however, with the additional formation of alkali metal cationised b ions) offers a way for generating the low-energy CID spectra of 'singly charged' tryptic peptides.     

A concerted mechanism for the transfer of the thiophosphinoyl group from aryl dimethylphosphinothioate esters to oxyanionic nucleophiles in aqueous solution

Earlier work on the hydrolysis of aryl phosphinothioate esters has led to contradictory mechanistic conclusions. To resolve this mechanistic ambiguity, we have measured linear free energy relationships (beta(nuc) and beta(lg)) and kinetic isotope effects for the reactions of oxyanions with aryl dimethylphosphinothioates. For the attack of nucleophiles on 4-nitrophenyl dimethylphosphinothioate, beta(nuc) = 0.47 +/- 0.05 for phenoxide nucleophiles (pK(a) < 11) and beta(nuc) = 0.08 +/- 0.01 for hydroxide and alkoxide nucleophiles (pK(a) >or= 11). Linearity of the plot in the range that straddles the pK(a) of the leaving group (4-nitrophenoxide, pK(a) 7.14) is indicative of a concerted mechanism. The much lower value of beta(nuc) for the more basic nucleophiles reveals the importance of a desolvation step prior to rate-limiting nucleophilic attack. The reactions of a series of substituted aryl dimethylphosphinothioate esters give the same value of beta(lg) with the nucleophiles HO(-) (beta= -0.54 +/- 0.03) and PhO(-) (beta = -0.52 +/- 0.09). A significantly better Hammett correlation is obtained with sigma(-) than with sigma or sigma degrees , as expected for a transition state involving rate-limiting cleavage of the P-OAr bond. The (18)O KIE at the position of bond fission ((18)k = 1.0124 +/- 0.0008) indicates the P-O bond is approximately 40% broken, and the (15)N KIE in the leaving group ((15)k = 1.0009 +/- 0.0003) reveals the nucleofuge carries about a third of a negative charge in the transition state. Thus, both the LFER and KIE data are consistent with a concerted reaction and disfavor a stepwise mechanism.     

冠醚配合物的研究XIII:三种大环配体液膜传输碱金属离子的动力学

本文报道以2,3-苯并-11-甲基-18-冠-6,2,3-苯并-8,15-二甲基-18-冠-6和2,3-苯并-8-11,15-三甲基-18-冠-6为液膜载体,研究其对碱金属离子的传输,发现当水相金属盐浓度和膜相配体相近时,金属离子的传输为串联一级反应,求得了串级速率常数,并讨论了传输速率和配位作用的关系及载体结构的影响.     

Influence of halogenation on the properties of uracil and its noncovalent interactions with alkali metal ions. Threshold collision-induced dissociation and theoretical studies

The influence of halogenation on the properties of uracil and its noncovalent interactions with alkali metal ions is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Bond dissociation energies of alkali metal ion-halouracil complexes, M+(XU), are determined using threshold collision-induced dissociation techniques in a guided ion beam mass spectrometer, where M+ = Li+, Na+, and K+ and XU = 5-fluorouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 6-chlorouracil, 5-bromouracil, and 5-iodouracil. The structures and theoretical bond dissociation energies of these complexes are determined from ab initio calculations. Theoretical calculations are also performed to examine the influence of halogenation on the acidities, proton affinities, and Watson-Crick base pairing energies. Halogenation of uracil is found to produce a decrease in the proton affinity, an increase in the alkali metal ion binding affinities, an increase in the acidity, and stabilization of the A::U base pair. In addition, alkali metal ion binding is expected to lead to an increase in the stability of nucleic acids by reducing the charge on the nucleic acid in a zwitterion effect as well as through additional noncovalent interactions between the alkali metal ion and the nucleobases.     

Solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effects for the methanolyses of neutral C=O, P=O and P=S esters catalyzed by a triazacyclododecane : Zn(2+)-methoxide complex

The methanolyses of several organophosphate/phosphonate/phosphorothioate esters (O,O-diethyl O-(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate, paraoxon, ; O,O-diethyl S-(3,5-dichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate, ; O-ethyl O-(2-nitro-4-chlorophenyl) methylphosphonate, ; O,O-dimethyl O-(3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate, fenitrothion, ; O-ethyl S-(3,5-dichlorophenyl) methylphosphonothioate ) and a carboxylate ester (p-nitrophenyl acetate, ) catalyzed by methoxide and the Zn(2+)((-)OCH(3)) complex of 1,5,9-triazacyclododecane ( : Zn(2+)((-)OCH(3))) were studied in methanol and d(1)-methanol at 25 degrees C. In the case of the methoxide reactions inverse skie's were observed for the series with values ranging from 2 to 1.1, except for where the k(D)/k(H) = 0.90 +/- 0.02. The inverse k(D)/k(H) values are consistent with a direct nucleophilic methoxide attack involving desolvation of the nucleophile with varying extents of resolvation of the TS. With the : Zn(2+)((-)OCH(3)) complex all the skie values are k(D)/k(H) = 1.0 +/- 0.1 except for where the value is 0.79 +/- 0.06. Arguments are presented that the fractionation factors associated with complex : Zn(2+)((-)OCH(3)) are indistinguishable from unity. The skie's for all the complex-catalyzed methanolyses are interpreted as being consistent with an intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the Zn(2+)-coordinated methoxide within a pre-equilibrium metal : substrate complex.     

Gas phase hydrogen deuterium exchange reactions of a model peptide: FT-ICR and computational analyses of metal induced conformational mutations

We utilized gas phase hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions and ab initio calculations to investigate the complexation between a model peptide (Arg-Gly-AspRGD) with various alkali metal ions. The peptide conformation is drastically altered upon alkali metal ion complexation. The associated conformational changes depend on both the number and type of complexing alkali metal ions. Sodium has a smaller ionic diameter and prefers a multidentate interaction that involves all three amino acids of the peptide. Conversely, potassium and cesium form different types of complexes with the RGD. The [RGD + 2Cs − H]⁺ species exhibit the slowest H/D exchange reactivity (reaction rate constant of 6 × 10⁻¹³ cm³molecule⁻¹s⁻¹ for the fastest exchanging labile hydrogen with ND₃). The reaction rate constant of the protonated RGD is two orders of magnitude faster than that of the [RGD + 2Cs − H]⁺. Addition of the first cesium to the RGD reduces the H/D exchange reaction rate constant (i.e., D₀) by a factor of seven whereas sodium reduces this value by a factor of thirty. Conversely, addition of the second alkali metal ions has the opposite effect; the rate of D₀ disappearance for all [RGD + 2Met − H]⁺ species (MetNa, K, and Cs) decreases with the alkali metal ion size.     

Artificial ion channel formed by cucurbit[n]uril derivatives with a carbonyl group fringed portal reminiscent of the selectivity filter of K+ channels

Novel artificial ion channels (1 and 2) based on CB[n] (n = 6 and 5, respectively) synthetic receptors with carbonyl-fringed portals (diameter 3.9 and 2.4 A, respectively) can transport proton and alkali metal ions across a lipid membrane with ion selectivity. Fluorometric experiments using large unilamellar vesicles showed that 1 mediates proton transport across the membranes, which can be blocked by a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, reminiscent of the blocking of the K+ channels by polyamines. The alkali metal ion transport activity of 1 follows the order of Li+ > Cs+ approximately Rb+ > K+ > Na+, which is opposite to the binding affinity of CB[6] toward alkali metal ions. On the other hand, the transport activity of 2 follows the order of Li+ > Na+, which is also opposite to the binding affinity of 2 toward these metal ions, but virtually no transport was observed for K+, Rb+, and Cs+. It is presumably because the carbonyl-fringed portal size of 2 (diameter 2.4 A) is smaller than the diameters of these alkali metal ions. To determine the transport mechanism, voltage-clamp experiments on planar bilayer lipid membranes were carried out. The experiments showed that a single-channel current of 1 for Cs+ transport is approximately 5 pA, which corresponds to an ion flux of approximately 3 x 107 ions/s. These results are consistent with an ion channel mechanism. Not only the structural resemblance to the selectivity filter of K+ channels but also the remarkable ion selectivity makes this model system unique.