Bis(imidazolium)-calix[4]arene receptors for anion binding.

Efficient access to the bis(imidazolyl)calixarene 2 and dicationic bis(imidazolium) salts 1a,b x 2X directly bonded to the upper rim of calixarene structure has been reported. Anion binding properties of the new receptors were studied by 1H NMR spectroscopic methods. Bis(N-butylimidazolium) dication 1a exhibited the best recognition properties toward carboxylate anions with a 1:1 receptor-anion binding stoichiometry, whereas the presence of a bulky group such as isopropyl (1b) increased the difficulty of both imidazolium moieties to be able to support the association with the same single anion.