Hydrophobic interactions in the pillar[5]arene-based host-guest complexation and their application in the inhibition of acetylcholine hydrolysis

The host-guest complexations between a water-soluble pillar[5]arenes (WP5) and choline derivatives with different alkyl chain lengths were investigated. The hydrophobic interactions played a significant role in these pillar[5]arene-based host-guest complexations. By taking advantage of hydrophobic interactions, the cavity of WP5 could be further employed to inhibit the hydrolysis of acetylcholine in the presence of acetylcholinesterase. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.