Flexible nucleobase receptor - Effect of self-preorganization of artificial receptor

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)73083-8

A new type flexible receptor which has two uracil moieties connected with a long alkyl chain was synthesized and its molecular recognition ability toward adenine derivatives was investigated. The present receptor shows equilibrium between two states, open and close forms. In contrast to the open form, the closed form exhibits enthalpically less favorable but entropically more favorable molecular recognition toward adenine derivatives. This observation is rationally explained by the effect of self-preorganization of the present receptor.