Intrinsic Hydrophobicity versus Intraguest Interactions in Hydrophobically Driven Molecular Recognition in Water

Molecular recognition of water-soluble molecules is challenging but can be achieved if the receptor possesses a hydrophobic binding interface complementary to the guest. When the guest molecule contains more than one hydrophobic group, intrahost interactions between the hydrophobes could strongly influence the binding of the guest by its host. In a series of ornithine derivatives functionalized with aromatic hydrophobes, the most electron-rich compound displayed the strongest binding, despite its lowest intrinsic hydrophobicity.