Recognition of anions by polyammonium macrocyclic and cryptand receptors: influence of the dimensionality on the binding behavior

Seven pairs of macrocyclic/cryptand polyamines, differing only in the added dimensionality, were selected and evaluated as receptors for anions in aqueous solution. The main differences on binding properties of protonated macrocycles and protonated cryptands as receptors for anions were analyzed through the association constants and structural data from the literature. Reported stepwise association constant values were critically evaluated on the basis of diagrams of log K-eff in function of pH, being K-eff the effective constant values.