LYSINE-SANDWICHED IONOPHORES

Lysine-sandwiched ionophores, prepared from N(alpha)-Z-Lys-OMe by inse rtion of preformed Cu(II)/Ni(II) templates of 3-substituted salicylald ehydes, transport Li, Na, K, Cs, Ca and ammonium ions, across layers a nd model biological membranes. The Ca(II) transport profile of ionopho res from higher members of the series is noteworthy. Detailed studies have shown that these ionophores are hosts that assemble and organize to provide a bed of lone pairs that function as the cornerstone to pro mote ion binding and deriving further support from auxiliary ligands