Mimicking biological systems through modular control of solvation: a synthetic receptor that binds in both water or chloroform

Two receptors are described which are designed to complex barbiturates and cyanuric acids. The functional groups at the binding pocket are polar and are designed to enable guest exchange from water to occur by a dispersion of the host. One receptor has a charged binding pocket lined with two phosphate groups resembling a surfactant. Evidence for the partial extraction of diethylbarbituric acid from water is presented. The more polar guest sodium alloxan 5-f-sulfonatophenylhydrazone was not complexed. The receptors were both used to solubilise two insoluble bis-isocyanuric acids by forming 2:1 complexes in chloroform.