Templates, imprinting combinatorial libraries

Fig. 13.8. Structure of the template species and the functional monomers used for preparing combinatorial libraries of imprinted polymers.

This chapter aims to provide an update on the role of anions as templates. The review is divided in two main sections (a) anion-templated synthesis of assemblies linked together by irreversible bonds (or bonds that are inert under mild experimental conditions) (b) anion templates in systems where the bonds linking the components are reversible and lead to anion-controlled dynamic combinatorial libraries. Since some comprehensive reviews in the area of anion temptation have appeared over the past few years [5-7], this chapter will mainly focus on papers published recently and will aim to show the principles of anion temptation rather than being a comprehensive account of the literature. In addition, the scope of the chapter will be restricted to finite assemblies (molecular or supramolecular) and not polymeric (for a review on molecularly imprinted polymers using anions see Steinke s chapter in this volume). 

The use of anions as templating agents is discussed by Vilar. The chapter starts with a general overview of the area and a discussion of the applications of anion templates in organic and coordination chemistry. The second part of the chapter deals with examples where anions are employed as templates in dynamic combinatorial libraries. This approach promises to provide an efficient route for the synthesis of better and more selective anion receptors. The last chapter by Ewen and Steinke also deals with the use of anions as templates but in this case in the context of molecular imprinted polymers. The first half of the chapter provides an introduction into molecularly imprinted polymers and this is followed by a detailed discussion of examples where anionic species have been used to imprint this class of polymeric materials. 

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