Molecular recognition: Schiff base as molecular tweezers

The self-assembling via hydrogen bonding can be the important basis of the main concept in molecular recognition. We have designed and modified the or ganic schiff base, N,N'-bis(o-hydroxybenzylidene)diethylene and its halo- ( Cl- or Br-) derivatives as artificial receptors that exhibit the strong bin ding characteristics to barbituric acid as a guest. H-1-NMR spectroscopic t itration has been performed to characterize the noncovalent intermolecular interaction between the schiff base or its halo-derivatives and a barbituri c acid molecule.