Binding
of anions using macrocyclic structures with a nonpolar
interior using the CH···anion interaction as the recognition
motif has gained popularity in the past few years, and such receptors
often rely on a subtle interplay between enthalpic and entropic factors.
For these types of receptors solvation of both the anion and the binding
pocket of the macrocyclic host play important roles in the overall
energetic picture of the binding event. Systematic chemical modifications
of synthetic receptors that are able to bind anions in a variety of
solvents is an important tool to gain understanding of the factors
that determine the supramolecular chemistry of anions. Here we present
the chiral macrocyclic structure biotin-l-sulfoxide[6]uril
as a host molecule that binds anions in both water and in organic
solvents. Biotin-l-sulfoxide[6]uril is prepared in a highly
diastereoselective one-pot synthesis from the macrocycle biotin[6]uril.
We compare the binding properties with that of biotin[6]uril, also
studied in acetonitrile and in aqueous buffer at neutral pH. The biotin-l-sulfoxide[6]uril generally exhibits stronger recognition of
anions in acetonitrile, but weaker binding in water as compared to
the biotin[6]uril macrocycle. We have studied the binding events using
a combination of NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry
(ITC), and computational methods.