Molecular recognition of nucleotides by a new bis(guanidinium)tetrakis(β-cyclodextrin) tetrapod

Abstract

The facile synthesis of a novel bis(guanidinium)tetrakis(β-cyclodextrin) tetrapod, the first member of a new host family with a pre-defined number of guanidinium centres and cyclodextrins, is presented. Its molecular recognition towards nucleotide guest molecules was investigated. The formation of ditopic bimolecular complexes was observed, combining host–guest hydrophobic inclusion into cyclodextrins and electrostatic interactions between guanidinium and phosphate anions.