An anion receptor that facilitates transmembrane proton-anion symport by deprotonating its sulfonamide N-H proton

Chem Commun (Camb). 2018 Sep 11;54(73):10351-10354. doi: 10.1039/c8cc04044c.

Abstract

Indole-based amide-sulfonamide derivatives were synthesized. The X-ray crystal structure and chloride binding studies in solution showed a 1 : 1 stoichiometry. The ion transport efficiency directly correlated to the pKa of the sulfonamide N-H protons. The mechanistic study indicated proton-anion symport across the lipid bilayer membrane.