Posted by A collaboration between UCLA and the University of Hong Kong describes a method of using Quinuclidine as a catalyst to selectively modify the interior cavity of α-cyclodextrin. Quinuclidine can temporarily bind inside of the cavity and, when oxidized, selectively flips one hydroxyl group to the inside of the cavity. The modified α-cyclodextrin showed improved ability to separate chiral compounds in gas chromatography compared to natural α-cyclodextrin. This chemical editing method demonstrates a new strategy for enabling more precise molecular recognition.
Ye-Qiang HanChing Ching LamK. N. HoukAspen X.-Y. Chen (2026) Interior Editing via Dynamic Molecular Recognition. . Am. Chem. Soc. 148, 15, 16129–16137. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6c00524