Anion Receptors Based on a Quinoline Backbone

2-Amido-8-urea substituted quinoline derivatives are potent receptors for the binding of halide or benzoate anions in chloroform. The selectivity and affinity of the receptors for fluoride can be tuned by variation of the substituents at the receptor side chains. Computational considerations show that the cleft of the receptors provides space for effective binding of F–, but not bigger anions.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)