Carbazole-based bis-ureas and thioureas as electroneutral anion transporters

ABSTRACT

We report a series of easily accessible carbazole-based bis-ureas and thioureas as effective anion receptors and transporters. The compounds exhibit moderate Cl⁻ binding affinity in wet DMSO and Cl⁻ transport capabilities in phospholipid membranes predominantly through an electroneutral H⁺/Cl⁻ and anion exchange mechanisms.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Supramolecular chemistry
• anion transport
• hydrogen bonding
• carbazole

Acknowledgments

P.W., X.W., and P.A.G. acknowledge and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional owners of the land on which we research, teach and collaborate at the University of Sydney. P.A.G. thanks the University of Sydney and the Australian Research Council (DP200100453) for funding.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Supplementary materials

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Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Australian Research Council [DP200100453].