Cucurbit[7]uril host-guest complexes of cholines and phosphonium cholines in aqueous solution

The neutral host cucurbit[7]uril forms very stable complexes with a series of cationic cholines (R(3)NCH(2)CH(2)OR'(+)) and their phosphonium analogues (R(3)PCH(2)CH(2)OR'(+)) (R(3) = Me(3), Et(3), or Me(2)Bz, or R(3)N = quinuclidinium, and R' = H, COCH(3), CO(CH(2))(2)CH(3), or PO(3)H), and (+/-)-carnitine, in aqueous solution. The complexation behaviour has been investigated using (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopies, and ESI mass spectrometry. The complexation-induced chemical shift changes of the guests clearly indicate the effects of replacing the N(CH(3))(3)(+) end group by P(CH(3))(3)(+), and changing the nature of R on the position of the guest with respect to the CB[7] cavity and its polar portal-lining carbonyl groups. This study demonstrates that molecular recognition of cholines in aqueous solution is achievable with a neutral host without the need for aromatic walls for cation-pi interactions.