A water-soluble calix[4]arene-based ligand for the selective linear coordination and stabilization of copper(I) ion in aerobic conditions.

A number of serious diseases are linked to copper homeostasis dysfunction. The design of copper(I)-selective chelators is of particular interest not only for the creation of therapeutic objects but also as useful tools to gain insights into the coordination of copper(I) in a biological medium. A water-soluble Cu(I)-selective ligand that associates strong Cu(I) binding at pH = 7.4 (10(14) M(-1)), insensitivity to air, and selectivity toward Cu(II) and other biologically relevant cations is described.