Base-Selective Adsorption of Nucleosides to Pore-Engineered Nanocarbon, Carbon Nanocage

Selective molecular recognition is an important subject in supramolecular science as well as in practical applications such as sensing, drug delivery, and biomedical processes. In this research we have investigated adsorption behavior of nucleosides (adenosine, guanosine, and thymidine) onto various porous supports. When compared with mesoporous silica, porous carbons exhibit superior adsorptive performance. We serendipitously observed a pronounced selectivity between purine-base and pyrimidine-base nucleosides by carbon naonocage. These findings are useful for design of materials for applications in adsorption-based separations and as column stationary phases for separation of costly and important biomolecules.