Imidazolium-based catenane host for bromide recognition in aqueous media.
Serpell CJ., Park AY., Robinson CV., Beer PD.
The synthesis of a novel catenated system which is dense in cationic hydrogen bonding imidazolium units is described. The interlocked host system displays a preference for binding of bromide over other halides, overcoming basicity and Hofmeister trends, under aqueous conditions. This is the first example of an imidazolium-based catenane acting as an anion host through C-H hydrogen bonding.