Over the past decade, our group has developed a series of water-compatible anion receptors featuring boron and antimony-based Lewis acids. Access to these compounds as well as their water compatibility has led us to consider applications in transmembrane anion transport across phospholipid bilayers in artificial vesicles as well as in live cells. In this presentation, we will discuss the anion transport properties of tetraaryl-pnictonium cations and stimuli-responsive switchable sulfonium-stibonium cations. One of the best antimony-based transporters was found to accelerate the fluoride-induced hemolysis of human red blood cells, presumably via the transporter-facilitated influx of toxic fluoride anions. This might open the door to many exciting avenues of research, including in cellular biology and possibly medicine.

Lewis acidic main group cations for the transport of anions across artificial and cell membranes

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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