Synthesis and recognition behaviour of allosteric hemicarcerands

Bipyridine bridged bis(resorcinarenes) have been prepared. Upon co-ordinating to a transition metal ion, e.g. Ag+, the respective metal complex forms a hemicarcerand-like structure with the two resorcinarene moieties capable of binding non-polar organic molecules in a co-operative fashion, as shown qualitatively by NMR spectroscopy.