Chiral macrocycles, part I: Synthesis and enantioselective transport of carboxylic acids as their Li+ salts

A new series of tetrapyrazolic macrocycles with a functionalized sidearm has been prepared. Their capability to transport Li+ salts of carboxylic acids has been examined and is shown to be strongly dependent on the functionality of the macrocycle sidearm. In the case of the Li+ (D, L.)-mandelate, chiral recognition has been observed.