Molecular Recognition System Controlled by Thermosensitive Complexation Using Cyclodextrin-Conjugated Poly( ε-lysine)s

Molecular recognition in chemistry and biology is a kind of host-guest phenomena, which concerns inclusion complexes formed through noncovalently controlled interactions between the host and guest. Possessing well-defined hydrophobic cavities of cyclodextrins (CDs), which can bind various organic, inorganic, and biological molecules to form stable inclusion complexes or supramolecular species, have been employed as excellent hosts in supramolecular chemistry and chiral selectors in separation science and technology. Hence, a great deal of efforts has been devoted to the design and syntheses of novel CD derivatives that display enhanced molecular binding abilities and selectivities for specific substrates.