Anion transfer at a micro-water/1,2-dichloroethane interface facilitated by beta-octafluoro-meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole

The facilitated transfer of four hydrophilic anions, i.e., Cl-, Br-, NO2-, and CH3CO2-, at the micro-water/1,2-dichloroethane interface supported at the tip of a micropipet has been observed successfully using beta-octafluoro-meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole 2 as the receptor. We have also shown for the first time that the dynamics of this process can be studied by micropipet voltammetry. The standard kinetic rate constants (kdegrees) for facilitated anion transfer at such an interface were determined to be (2.11 +/- 0.90) x 10(-2) and (0.75 +/- 0.50) x 10(-2) cm/s in the case of Cl- and CH3CO2-, respectively. These values are much smaller than those associated with the facilitated transfer of analogous alkali metal ions. This difference is thought to reflect a number of underlying factors, including the higher hydration of anions as compared to similar sized cations. Studies such as these are expected to be useful in understanding the mechanism of anion transport at soft interfaces and for the design of yet-improved anion receptors and carriers.