Cryptand

Structure of [2.2.2]cryptand encapsulating a potassium cation (purple). At crystalline state, obtained with an X-ray diffraction.[1]
[2.2.2]Cryptand

In chemistry, cryptands are a family of synthetic, bicyclic and polycyclic, multidentate ligands for a variety of cations.[2] The Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1987 was given to Donald J. Cram, Jean-Marie Lehn, and Charles J. Pedersen for their efforts in discovering and determining uses of cryptands and crown ethers, thus launching the now flourishing field of supramolecular chemistry.[3] The term cryptand implies that this ligand binds substrates in a crypt, interring the guest as in a burial. These molecules are three-dimensional analogues of crown ethers but are more selective and strong as complexes for the guest ions. The resulting complexes are lipophilic.[4]

  1. ^ Alberto, R.; Ortner, K.; Wheatley, N.; Schibli, R.; Schubiger, A. P. (2001). "Synthesis and properties of boranocarbonate: a convenient in situ CO source for the aqueous preparation of [99mTc(OH2)3(CO)3]+". J. Am. Chem. Soc. 121 (13): 3135–3136. doi:10.1021/ja003932b. PMID 11457025.
  2. ^ Von Zelewsky, A. (1995). Stereochemistry of Coordination Compounds. Chichester: John Wiley. ISBN 0-471-95057-2.
  3. ^ Lehn, J. M. (1995). Supramolecular Chemistry: Concepts and Perspectives. Weinheim: VCH.
  4. ^ MacGillivray, Leonard R.; Atwood, Jerry L. (1999). "Structural Classification and General Principles for the Design of Spherical Molecular Hosts". Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 38 (8): 1018–1033. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1521-3773(19990419)38:8<1018::AID-ANIE1018>3.0.CO;2-G. PMID 25138490.