Work

Gem ‐Diboronic Acids: A Motif for Anion Recognition in Competitive Media

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Gem ‐diboronic acid derivatives have previously been demonstrated to facilitate substrate binding within a metal's secondary coordination sphere, but their use as an anion recognition motif has not been explored. Here, we introduce the gem ‐diboronic acid motif as a highly effective group for recognition of oxoanions in aqueous solution. Anion receptors based on this motif demonstrate higher binding affinities than other common neutral motifs such as amides and (thio)ureas, and display a unique selectivity profile. Studies with a receptor bearing two gem ‐diboronic acid groups, receptor 2, indicate that the interaction with anions is highly directional. Despite its simplicity, receptor 2 represents one of the most selective receptors for malonate reported to date.

Source: Angewandte Chemie

DOI: 10.1002/ange.202502582

Authors: Stephen M. Butler, Daniel M. Beagan, William Lewis, Nathaniel K. Szymczak, Katrina A. Jolliffe

Institutions: The University of Sydney, ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, United States Air Force Academy, University of Michigan

Language: English

Topic: Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection

Subfield: Spectroscopy

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,790

Funders: National Institutes of Health, Australian Research Council, National Institute of General Medical Sciences