Simple isophthalamides/dipicolineamides as active transmembrane anion transporters

Eight N,N´-diarylisophthalamide/dipicolineamide derivatives have been synthesised and fully characterised, both in solution and in the solid state. The transmembrane anion transport properties of these compounds have been studied by chloride-selective electrode and fluorescence experiments. The substitution pattern of the aromatic moieties determines the transport properties of these systems, with those containing electron-withdrawing groups in their structures being the most active ones of the series.