Controllable synthesis, structures of amidecrownophane-type macrocycles and their binding ability toward anions

Amidecrownophane-type macrocycles with different number of hydroxy groups were prepared in quantitative yields by control of the conditions of thermal reaction with the aim to examine the role of hydroxy groups in anion recognition. It was proved that the hydroxy group played a critical role in anion binding for this type of macrocycles and the anion binding affinity could be tuned by different number of hydroxy groups. Further exploration clarified the presence of intramolecular hydrogen-bonding and exhibited the major effect on their anion binding potential.