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

The facile synthesis of a novel bis(guanidinium) tetrakis(beta-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.