Chiral recognition of aromatic compounds by beta-cyclodextrin based on bimodal complexation.

The chiral recognition of the selected aromatic chiral compounds by native beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) based on bimodal complexation was studied using a flexible docking algorithm FDOCK. A quantitative empirical free energy relationship model was employed to predict the complex stability constants and the preferred binding modes. The results showed that the calculated complex stability constants are in good agreement with the experimental data. Furthermore, the main force responsible for host-guest complexation is the van der Waals force and the chiral molecules are completely included into the beta-CD cavity. The chiral recognition for the selected aromatic chiral compounds is the result of the van der Waals force counterbalancing with the other effects, such as the electrostatic interaction and the hydrophobic effect.