Excellent enantio-selective enclathration of (2R,3S)-3-methyl-2-pentanol in channel-like cavity of 3-epideoxycholic acid, interpreted by the four-location model for chiral recognition.

Pure (2R,3S)-3-methyl-2-pentanol is resolved from the racemates by a steroidal host; the interpretation of the recognition mechanism based on the crystal structure reveals that CH/O interaction between the host and guest plays a decisive role in enantio-selective enclathration of the small aliphatic secondary alcohol.