High-affinity host–guest chemistry of large-ring cyclodextrins

Abstract

The host–guest chemistry of large-ring cyclodextrins (LRCDs) has been largely unexplored due to the lack of suitable guest molecules that bind with significant affinities to enable potential applications. Herein, we report their complexation with dodecaborate anions (B₁₂X₁₂²⁻), a novel class of guest molecules. The binding constants of the inorganic guests (10⁴–10⁶ M⁻¹) allow their classification as the first tight binders for LRCDs.