Metal assembly of cyclodextrin recognition sites

Cyclodextrin recognition sites are assembled in macromolecular structures b y using metal assembly principles. Methylated cyclodextrins are functionali sed with bidentate bipyridine and tridentate terpyridine units to give vers atile receptor ligands, beta -CD-mbpy and beta -CD-ttp, respectively, for m etal complexation. Tris-cyclodextrin complexes are prepared by reaction of the beta -CD-mbpy receptor with iron(II) and by re-action of beta -CD-ttp w ith europium(III). The latter leads to a luminescent complex with three rec ognition sites around the luminescent metal core. Bis-cyclodextrin complexe s are prepared by addition of iron(II) to beta -CD-ttp. The characterisatio n of the compounds and their luminescent properties are reported.