Steroid-based receptors with tunable cavities; a series of polyhydroxylated macrocycles of varying size and flexibility

Five ‘cyclocholamide’ receptors 1 are synthesized and characterised through computer-based molecular modeling and (in one case) X-ray crystallography; a comparison of 1a and 1c as receptors for octyl β-D-glucoside 7 illustrates the potential for tuning recognition properties through variation of group Y.