Drastically decreased reactivity of thiols and disulfides complexed by cucurbit[6]uril

The cucurbit[6]uril (CB6) host forms stable complexes with 2-aminoethanethiol (cysteamine) and a derivative that contains a bulky terminal group attached to the amine group, as well as with the related disulfide cystamine. In these complexes, the thiol or the disulfide group is encapsulated inside the host cavity. The CB6-complexed thiols show drastically decreased reactivity with several oxidants, while the C136-bound disulfide also exhibits hindered reactivity with reducing agents, such as dithiothreitol.