Bambusurils are macrocyclic molecules that are known for their high binding affinity and selectivity toward anions. Here, we present the preparation of two bambusurils bearing fluorinated substituents and one carboxylic function. These monofunctionalized bambusurils were conjugated with crown ether and cholesterol units. The resulting conjugates were successfully tested in liquid–liquid extraction of inorganic salts and chloride/bicarbonate transport across lipid bilayers.

We present bambusurils, macrocycles which strongly bind anions of different sizes, as a mechanistic tool to probe counter ion effects in metal catalysis.