INCLUSION COMPLEXES OF ALCOHOLS WITH ALPHA-CYCLODEXTRIN

Calorimetric studies of the inclusion complexes of straight and branch ed alcohols and of diols with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) have been carried out in water solvent. The data suggest that straight and branc hed chain alcohols enter the cavity of alpha-CD alkyl end first. The h ydroxyl group hydrogen bonds to the outer oxygen ring of the cyclodext rin. For branched chain alcohols the longer alkyl part of the molecule penetrates the alpha-CD cavity up to the hydroxyl group. Diols form t wo hydrogen bonds to the outer oxygen ring of the cyclodextrin with so me penetration into its interior.