Inspired by the famed 150-year-old compound commonly referred to as Wurster's reagent, Wurster-type receptors constitute a class of host molecules, discovered by our group, that contain the electrochemically-active phenylenediamine moiety within the receptor framework.  Importantly, the phenylenediamine unit promotes strong interactions between the redox center and a variety of captured guests using either a linking nitrogen atoms(s) or the electron-rich pi face. Modulation of the electrochemical properties via derivatization of the phenylenediamine core has created an electrochemical “tool box” which extends the range of guests that can be accommodated while maintaining the desirable electrochemical features. The possible combinations of phenylenediamine isomers, macrocyclic/ligand donor atoms and overall molecular topology endow these compounds with a rich coordination chemistry and promise in applications that include redox switches, sensors, transport agents, catalysis and molecular magnetism. In addition, receptor-modified surfaces and polymers have been prepared to facilitate the creation of devices based on the well-studied chemistry of the discrete molecular receptors.  In this presentation, the synthesis, properties and coordination chemistry of representative members of the Wurster's receptors (crowns, cryptands and their acyclic counterparts) will be discussed with particular emphasis on the relationships between ligand architecture, electrochemical properties and coordination chemistry.

Synthesis and coordination chemistry of molecular and polymeric Wurster-type receptors: Redox-active hosts for cations and anions

251st National Meeting (2016)

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