ArticleFluorinated Bambusurils as Highly Effective and Selective Transmembrane Cl À /HCO 3 À Antiporters Synthetic anion receptors can be used to transport ions across membranes. In this work, bambusuril macrocycles are demonstrated to be very efficient in exchanging chloride and bicarbonate ions, whereas exchange with nitrate is much slower. This is explained by the anion binding properties of the receptor. The high rates of transport by these bambusurils and mechanistic insight provided here represent an advancement toward the future therapeutic applications of synthetic anion carriers.

Bambusurils are macrocyclic compounds whose synthesis was first reported in 2010. Since then bambusurils have been investigated mainly because of its six‐membered homologues’ outstanding binding affinities towards inorganic anions in both organic solvents and water. Here we summarize the most important aspects of bambusuril chemistry. Basic characteristics of bambusurils are presented, followed by details of their synthesis, and a discussion of their supramolecular properties, with an emphasis on binding in water. Potential applications of bambusurils are highlighted at the end of the review.

A novel macrocycle, decamethylpressocucurbit[5]uril (Me10prCB[5]), was synthesized by acid-catalyzed condensation of propanediurea and paraformaldehyde. This macrocycle binds methane with higher affinity than cucurbit[5]uril and its permethylated derivative.

Phenylene-bridged glycoluril dimers are used for the construction of supramolecular host molecules with high affinity towards methylviologen in water.