Monoacylglycerols as transmembrane Cl− anion transporters

Abstract

We report that the amphiphilic natural product, monoacylglycerol 1, functions as a transmembrane Cl⁻/NO₃⁻ anion transporter. The 1,2-diol group is crucial for the transport function since diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol analogs are not anion transporters. Furthermore, adding another hydrogen bond donor to the glycerol head-group and perfluorination of the acyl tail gave synthetic analogs with improved Cl⁻ membrane transport properties.