Biomimetic Recognition of Quinones in Water by an Endo‐Functionalized Cavity with Anthracene Sidewalls

Abstract

AbstractSelective molecular recognition in water is the foundation of numerous biological functions but is a challenge for most synthetic hosts. We employ the concept of endo‐functionalized cavity and the strategy of simultaneous construction to address this issue. The concept and the strategy were demonstrated in the construction of a biomimetic host for selectively recognizing quinones in water. The host was synthesized by joining two pieces of bent anthracene dimer through amide bond formation, affording a deep hydrophobic cavity and inward‐directing hydrogen bonding sites. The host can recognize quinones over their close analogues in water, and its association affinity to p‐benzoquinone is the highest among all the known hosts and is even comparable to that of the bioreceptor. The binding with an anthraquinone reaches nanomolar affinity. Shielded hydrogen bonding, C−H⋅⋅⋅π, and charge transfer interactions, and the hydrophobic effect are responsible for the high binding affinity and selectivity.