Synthesis and anion binding studies of a new crown ether containing 2,2′-biimidazole

A novel crown ether which incorporates the 2,2′-biimidazole moiety was prepared by cyclization of 1,1′-dibenzyl-1H,1′H-[2,2′]biimidazolyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid and 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine followed by removal of the benzyl groups. The diacid has been obtained by hydrolysis of the diester previously prepared by alcoholysis of the corresponding dicyano biimidazole. The cyano group is introduced by a palladium-catalyzed procedure starting from the corresponding dibromo biimidazole. The macrocyclic structure of the N-dibenzylated derivative of the receptor has been studied by X-ray diffraction. Binding constants for 1:1 biimidazole–anion complexation (K_assoc) are on the order of 10⁵ M⁻¹ for H₂PO₄⁻ and Cl⁻.