Stereoselective recognition of tripeptides guided by encoded library screening: construction of chiral macrocyclic tetraamide ruthenium receptor for peptide sensing.

[structure: see text] Molecule sensor 1 is devised by incorporating the reporting unit of ruthenium(II) complex and two recognition motifs of chiral cyclotetraamides on the sidearms. The target binding tripeptides for sensor 1 were readily identified by using an encoded library screening method. This solid-phase screening indicated a preferable binding of molecule 1 with d-alanine over the l-isomer. The optical and NMR studies for the binding events of 1 with tripeptides Ac-Ala-Gly-Ala-NHC(12)H(25) in the solution phase showed a consistent trend for the stereoselective recognition of the dd-isomer over the ld-, dl-, and ll-isomers.