Configurationally restricted bismacrocyclic CXCR4 receptor antagonists

A zinc(II) containing configurationally restricted analogue of bismacrocyclic cyclam-type CXCR4 chemokine receptor antagonists has been synthesized and shown to adopt only one configuration in solution. The single crystal X-ray structure reveals favorable binding to acetate via a bidentate chelation that can be related to the proposed interaction with aspartate on the receptor protein surface. The zinc(II) complex is highly active against HIV infection in vitro.