Atom-atom potential analysis of the complexing characteristics of cyclodextrins (host) with benzene and p-dihalobenzenes (guest)

Abstract

Abstract Intermolecular interaction and modelling calculations on the complexes of α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins (host) with benzene and p-dihalobenzenes (guest) were performed. The complex formation mechanism between the host and guest molecules was evaluated from three-dimensional potential maps generated by the atom-atom potential method, and the molecular packing of the complexed compounds was visualized by a space-fill representation. Stable inclusion complexes only form when both the host and guest molecules experience a significant decrease in the complexing potential. The host and guest molecules have a maximum molecular surface contact at the minimum potential, which depends on both the cavity size and the molecular volumes of the guest molecules. The calculated interaction energies can be correlated to the association constants of complex formation determined from experiment. The molecular dynamics of the guest molecules are also discussed.