Short synthesis of skeleton-modified cyclodextrin derivatives with unique inclusion ability

[reaction: see text] Skeleton-modified cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives, in which an alpha-(1,4)-glucosidic bond is converted into a beta-(1,4)-glucosidic bond, were conveniently synthesized by cleavage of a single glucosidic bond in permethylated and 2,6-di-O-methylated alpha- and beta-CDs and subsequent recyclization via the trichloroacetoimidate intermediates. The selective cleavage of an alpha-(1,4)-glucosidic bond of permethylated alpha- and beta-CDs was accomplished by stirring in 30% aq HClO(4) at 25 degrees C to give the corresponding maltohexaose and maltoheptaose derivatives, respectively. The cleavage of a glucosidic bond of hexakis(3-O-benzyl-2,6-di-O-methyl)-alpha-CD was successfully carried out in a mixed 60% aq HClO(4) and 1,4-dioxane solution (1:20). In the case of heptakis(3-O-benzyl-2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-CD, the solvent-free reaction with p-toluenesulfonic acid was found to be effective for selective cleavage of one glucosidic bond. The permethylated beta-CD derivative with a beta-(1,4)-glucosidic bond (4b) exhibited higher inclusion ability toward sodium m-nitrobenzoate than the parent permethylated beta-CD, while these hosts showed the same inclusion ability toward sodium p-nitrobenzoate. On the other hand, the beta-(1,4)-type permethylated alpha-CD derivative 4a exhibited lower inclusion ability toward sodium p- and m-nitrobenzoates than the parent permethylated alpha-CD. Interestingly, host molecules 4a and 4b showed inclusion selectivity for sodium m-nitrobenzoate as compared with the corresponding para-isomer, in contrast to permethylated CDs which possessed para-isomer selectivity. On the other hand, host molecules 4a and 4b showed para-isomer selectivity toward sodium nitrophenoxide guests, indicating that the inclusion selectivity was remarkably influenced by the guest hydrophilic groups. (1)H NMR studies on complexes of those beta-(1,4)-type CD derivatives with p- and m-nitrobenzoates and p- and m-nitrophenolates were carried out to estimate their structures.