Sepulchrate

Sepulchrate (the analogy): from the family of cryptands, which are composed of synthetic bi- and poly-cyclic multidentate ligands for a variety of cationic species. The term cryptand implies that these ligands bind substrates in "crypts", interring their guests. They are three dimensional analogues of crown ethers, but are more selective, and as a result have stronger capabilities to complex the guest ions.