Exceptionally strong halogen bonding (XB) donor-chloride interactions are exploited for the chloride anion template synthesis of neutral XB [2]rotaxane host systems which contain perfluoroaryl-functionalised axle components, including a remarkably potent novel 4,6-dinitro-1,3-bis-iodotriazole motif. Halide anion recognition properties in aqueous-organic media, determined via extensive 1 H NMR halide anion titration experiments, reveal the rotaxane host systems exhibit dramatically enhanced affinities for hydrophilic Cl- and Br- , but conversely diminished affinities for hydrophobic I- , relative to their non-interlocked axle counterparts. Crucially, this mechanical bond effect induces a binding selectivity which directly opposes Hofmeister bias. Free-energy analysis of this mechanical bond enhancement demonstrates anion recognition by neutral XB interlocked host systems as a rare and general strategy to engineer anti-Hofmeister bias anion selectivity in synthetic receptor design.
Keywords: Anion Recognition; Anti-Hofmeister Bias; Halogen Bonding (XB); Mechanically Interlocked Molecules; Rotaxanes.
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