Small modifications of endo-functionalized cavities lead to large changes in molecular interaction in water
摘要
Studying molecular recognition in aqueous environments is crucial for understanding biological processes. Herein, we present a series of N-doped endo-functionalized anthracene-based cavities by introducing inward-directed pyridine units. The subtle modifications can significantly affect the binding properties of these receptors, which is similar to the mutations in biological systems. Combining theoretical calculations and molecular recognition experiments demonstrated that these “mutations” have an impact on the hydrophobicity and charge distribution of the hosts, consequently significantly influencing molecular recognition. This is crucial for understanding the intricate mechanisms of molecular-level interactions in biological receptors.