Lysine-sandwiched ionophores

Abstract

Lysine-sandwiched ionophores, prepared from N ^α-Z-Lys-OMe by insertion of preformed Cu(II)/Ni(II) templates of 3-substituted salicylaldehydes, transport Li, Na, K, Cs, Ca and ammonium ions, across layers and model biological membranes. The Ca(II) transport profile of ionophores from higher members of the series is noteworthy. Detailed studies have shown that these ionophores are hosts that assemble and organize to provide a bed of lone pairs that function as the cornerstone to promote ion binding and deriving further support from auxiliary ligands The lysine side chain is transformed, by insertion of pre-formed salicylaldehyde metal templates, to ionophores (Figure 1). They are hosts that assemble and organize to transport ions across layers and model biological membranes.