A series of potential receptor molecules based on the dipurinyl-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide motif has been prepared and the intramolecular hydrogen bonding characterised by H-1 NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies. The hydrogen bonding gives rise to a preferential planar, cis conformation for the molecules. The planar nature of the unit also gives rise to pi-pi: stacking as shown by H-1 NMR dilution experiments. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. AII rights reserved.