Synthesis and Multi-Oxo Anion-Binding Properties of Oligopyrrolic Macrocycles Based on Naphthobipyrrole

Oligopyrrolic macrocycles based on the naphthobipyrrole scaffold have been synthesized and characterized. The compounds showed high affinities toward multi-oxo anions such as dihydrogen phosphate and sulfate anions in acetonitrile. Theoretical calculations for the formation of host-anion complexation revealed that the receptors adopt bowl-shaped, cone conformations with association constants of ca. 10(6) m(-1) with dihydrogen phosphate anions.