An Extraction-Based Assay for Neutral Anionophores: The Measurement of High Binding Constants to Steroidal Receptors in a Nonpolar Solvent

The extraction-based proto- col for measuring binding constants, developed by Cram and co-workers, has been extended for use with anionic substrates. The method is especially useful for high-affinity receptors, allow- ing very high binding constants to be measured in nonpolar solvents. Distri- bution constants Kd between chloroform and water have been obtained for tet- raethylammonium chloride and bro- mide, thus calibrating the method for these two substrates. Application to steroidal podands 5 ± 9 has confirmed the ability of electron-withdrawing groups to enhance hydrogen-bond do- nor capabilities. Binding constants of 3 10 71 have been measured for the most powerful receptor 7. An X-ray…