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Switching cation selectivity via steric tuning in sumanene-based receptors
Joachim Ażgin-Gontarek1, Wojciech Wróblewski1, Hidehiro Sakurai2,3
1Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego Str. 3, 00-664, Warsaw, Poland. artur.kasprzak@pw.edu.pl.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed novel sumanene receptors to control metal cation selectivity. Increasing steric hindrance allowed for precise tuning of cation recognition, leading to a new lead(II) receptor design.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Sumanene, a curved π-system, has been explored for metal cation recognition.
- Previous sumanene receptors primarily targeted cesium ions (Cs+).
- Tuning selectivity beyond specific cations remained a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the steric control of metal cation selectivity in sumanene-based receptors.
- To design novel sumanene receptors capable of recognizing a broader range of metal cations.
- To achieve unprecedented recognition of lead(II) ions (Pb2+) using a sumanene scaffold.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of modified sumanene derivatives with varying steric hindrance.
- Spectroscopic and binding studies to evaluate metal cation recognition.
- Computational modeling to understand steric effects on cation binding.
Main Results:
- Increasing steric hindrance around the sumanene core effectively tuned metal cation selectivity.
- Demonstrated selective recognition of various metal cations beyond Cs+.
- Successfully designed and validated a sumanene-based receptor exhibiting high affinity and selectivity for lead(II) ions (Pb2+).
Conclusions:
- Steric hindrance is a powerful strategy for controlling metal cation selectivity in curved π-systems.
- Sumanene scaffolds can be engineered for diverse metal ion sensing and separation applications.
- The developed lead(II) receptor represents a significant advancement in selective heavy metal ion recognition.
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