Anion coordination chemistry in aqueous solution of polyammonium receptors

The behavior of polyamines as receptors of selected families of anions in water is explored. First metallocyanide interaction with saturated polyammonium hosts is analyzed both in solution and in the solid state. The utility of potentiometry, multinuclear NMR, microcalorimetry and cyclic voltammetry to describe solution features of this chemistry is described for selected systems. Sulfate, phosphate, polyphosphate and nucleotide interactions with large polyammonium receptors are then reviewed. Hydrogen bond formation is discussed from a thermodynamic point of view. The influence of the presence of aromatic fragments within the structure on the binding strength is discussed. Factors affecting ATP hydrolytic cleavage by macrocyclic polyammonium receptors is revisited. Metal complexes are analyzed as anion receptors through formation of mixed complexes. Finally, an example of the influence of anion in crystal growing is provided. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.