Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

09:45
Modification and Functionalization of the Guanidine Group by Tailor-made Precursors
Published on: April 27, 2017
Guanidinium binding modulates guest exchange within an [M4L6] capsule
Salvatore Zarra1, Maarten M J Smulders, Quentin Lefebvre
1University of Cambridge, Department of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|June 12, 2012
Summary
A novel metal-organic container molecule binds guanidinium cations and organic guests. Its binding affinity correlates with the rate of guest exchange, offering insights into host-guest chemistry.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Kinetics
Background:
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and container molecules are key in host-guest chemistry.
- Understanding guest binding and exchange dynamics is crucial for designing functional materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the binding capabilities of a specific metal-organic container molecule.
- To elucidate the relationship between guest binding and guest exchange kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of a metal-organic container molecule.
- Binding studies with guanidinium cations and organic guests (cyclopentane, cyclohexane).
- Kinetic experiments to measure guest exchange rates.
Main Results:
- The container molecule successfully binds guanidinium cations at its periphery and organic guests in its cavity.
- A linear correlation was observed between the concentration of bound guanidinium ions and the guest exchange rate.
- This suggests guanidinium binding influences the molecule's dynamic behavior.
Conclusions:
- The metal-organic container exhibits selective binding of cations and guests.
- Guanidinium ion binding modulates the kinetics of guest exchange within the container.
- This work provides a foundation for designing responsive supramolecular systems.
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
GPCR Desensitization
G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling plays a crucial role in cell functioning. GPCR desensitization is an equally essential process. It allows cells to respond to changing environments and regain sensitivity to new stimuli while preventing unnecessary stimulation when no longer needed. Prolonged exposure to stimuli leads to GPCR desensitization. It involves blocking the receptors from binding and activating additional G proteins. This inhibits activation of downstream effectors, thereby...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect
In complexation reactions, metal atoms or cations interact with ligands to form donor-acceptor adducts called metal complexes. Ligands that bind through one donor site are monodentate, ligands with two donor sites are bidentate, and those with more than two donor sites are polydentate ligands. For example, ethylene diamine is a bidentate ligand that binds through two nitrogen donor atoms, forming a five-membered ring. EDTA is a polydentate ligand that binds through four oxygen and two nitrogen...
Pinching-off of Coated Vesicles
Vesicle budding is orchestrated by distinct cytosolic proteins such as adaptor proteins, coat proteins, and GTPases. To initiate vesicle budding, membrane-bending proteins containing crescent-shaped BAR domains bind to the lipid heads in the bilayer and distort the membrane to form a protein-coated vesicle bud. Adaptors proteins such as AP2 for clathrin-coated vesicles can nucleate on the deformed membrane. Finally, coat proteins such as clathrin or COPI and COPII assemble into a coat forming...
Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic
The pharmacological actions of acetylcholine are elicited via its binding to two families of cholinergic receptors or cholinoceptors, namely, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Muscarinic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors and have five subtypes, M1–M5. All mAChR subtypes are activated by acetylcholine and blocked by the antagonist, atropine.
The subtypes M1, M3, and M5 couple with the Gq subunit and activate the phospholipase C (PLC) activity, mobilizing intracellular Ca2+. Activation...
The subtypes M1, M3, and M5 couple with the Gq subunit and activate the phospholipase C (PLC) activity, mobilizing intracellular Ca2+. Activation...

