Metal control of non-polar binding shape selectivity

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(99)01579-8

Ligand 1 forms a hydrophobic cavity upon binding to metals, the shape of which depends on the metal. A reversal in binding preference for naphthalene or biphenyl groups is found when the metal is changed from zinc to copper, with a selectivity change of 260 fold.