Design and Function of Supramolecular Recognition Systems Based on Guest-Targeting Probe-Modified Cyclodextrin Receptors for ATP

In this study, we have developed a rational design strategy to obtain highly selective supramolecular recognition systems of cyclodextrins (CyDs) on the basis of the lock and key principle. We designed and synthesized dipicolylamine (dpa)-modified gamma-CyD Cu2+ complexes possessing an azobenzene unit (Cu center dot 1-gamma-CyD) and examined how they recognized phosphoric acid derivatives in water. The results revealed that Cu center dot 1-gamma-CyD recognized ATP with high selectivity over other phosphoric acid derivatives. The significant blue shift in the UV vis spectra and H-1 NMR analysis suggested that the selective ATP recognition was based on the multipoint interactions between the adenine moiety of ATP and both the CyD cavity and the azobenzene unit in addition to the recognition of phosphoric moieties by the Cu-dpa complex site. Our unique receptor made it capable of distinguishing ATP from AMP and ADP, revealing the discrimination of even a length of one phosphoric group. This study demonstrates that, compared to conventional recognition systems of CyDs, this multipoint recognition system confers a higher degree of selectivity for certain organic molecules, such as ATP, over their similar derivatives.