A Synthetic Ion Channel Derived from a Metallogallarene Capsule That Functions in Phospholipid Bilayers

Changing the channel: Dodecanal and pyrogallol were condensed to give a tetramer, which was crystallized as the bilayer and the hexameric molecular capsule. A copper-seamed metallogallarene capsule functioned as an ion transporter and showed selectivity for potassium over chloride ion transport in a phospholipid bilayer (see picture). The capsule also showed voltage-dependent gating of its open–close behavior when examined in asolectin membranes.