Artificial allosteric receptors for nucleotide bases and alkali-metal cations

An artificial allosteric receptor for alkali-metal cations was developed. Binding of 1-butylthymine was increased by a factor of 4-6 by recognition of sodium cations. The aromatic pi-stacking interaction of the anthracene ring and an electric interaction of complexed cations controlled the increment of the binding constant. The anthracene-linked diamidopyridines mark a rationally designed new set of artificial allosteric receptors.