Dendrimers as guests in molecular recognition

ORGN 453

David R. Sobransingh, dsobransingh@hotmail.com, Chemistry, University of Miami, 1500 NW 12th Ave #1809, Miami, FL 33136
Novel Newkome type hydrophilic redox active dendrimers were synthesized. The core of these dendrimers contained electroactive groups which are known to bind well to the cucurbit[7]uril host. The periphery of these dendrimers contain carboxylate groups which can be protonated or deprotonated depending on pH. This study investigates the supramolecular interactions of these dendritic guests with the cucurbit[7]uril host as a function of increasing generation and pH. This work gives insight into the modes of binding and illustrates the importance of electrostatic, hydrophobic and steric interactions in the modes of cucurbit[7]uril binding.