Synthesis and Binding Properties of a Macrocyclic Peptide Receptor

Synthetic receptors for peptides and amino acid derivatives are of considerable interest because of their direct relevance to many biological peptide–protein complexes, and may also lead, for example, to new biosensors, therapeutics and catalysts for peptide hydrolysis. Macrocycle 1 is a selective receptor for various dipeptide derivatives in chloroform, and most notably shows a strong preference for N-Cbz-β-alanyl amino acids over N-Cbz-β-alanyl lactic acids.