Chapter 4: Synthetic Receptors for Small Organic and Inorganic Anions

The field of supramolecular chemistry devoted to the development of anion receptors is often termed anion coordination chemistry and this chapter focuses on receptors developed in this context for the small organic and inorganic anions that are most important in biochemistry. In the introductory sections, the supramolecular aspects that determine the interaction of an anion with a receptor are summarized, as are the biochemical roles of the respective anions. In addition, the most important types of interactions available for anion recognition are described. The final sections discuss selected examples of anion receptors, classified according to structural aspects of their substrates, and use them as case studies to illustrate challenges and general concepts in anion coordination chemistry. The chapter concludes with a summary of future directions and challenges.