Synthesis, structure and the binding properties of the amide-based anion receptors derived from 1H-indole-7-amine

Indole-7-amine was investigated as an alternative to aniline in construction of amide-based anion receptors. Replacement of aniline with indolamine introduces additional binding site—indolyl NH, which can enhance anion binding for more than five times. The molecular modelling of indole-containing receptors revealed the correlation between their conformational preferences and their affinity towards anions.