Influence of the size and geometry of the anion binding pocket of sugar–urea anion receptors on chiral recognition

Three new chiral urea-type anion receptors were synthesized from aromatic diamines and 1-amino-1-deoxyglucose. The anion binding properties of these receptors were studied using chiral carboxylates derived from mandelic acid and three α-amino acids. We found that the size of the anion binding pocket played an important role in chiral recognition processes. The best results were obtained for 1,8-diaminoanthracene and α-amino acid anions.