Synthesis and characterization of new supermolecular receptors and study of their anion binding properties

This thesis deals with the synthesis and study of the anion complexation properties of new organic and metal-organic receptors. Previously, pyrrole amide cleft receptors had been show to be efficient anion coordinating agents. We decided to explore the anion binding properties of some related dipyrrolylmethane-bisamides in polar solvent mixtures. These compounds were synthesized and shown to be remarkably selective for dihydrogen phosphate in DMSO water mixtures. New tetrakis pyrrole-pyridine platinum (II) complexes have also been synthesized and their anion complexation properties studied. One of these compounds showed a solvent switchable binding site using either the pyrrole CH or NH to bind the anionic guest depending upon the nature of the solvent (DMSO or MeNO2 respectively). Platinum (II) complexes with hydroxyl groups at 2-position of the nicotinamide ligands were synthesized in collaboration with Dr Stephen J. Loeb at the University of Windsor. The anion complexation properties of these calixarene-like compounds were studied using proton NMR titration techniques, and selectivity toward oxoanions was observed. Finally, two novel platinum (II) complexes were prepared containing amidopyrrole moiety and either a pyridine or isoquinoline to bind to the platinum centre. The isoquinoline complex showed a higher degree of selectivity for oxo-anions than the pyridine complex.