Recognition study of substituted benzoic acids by 7-substituted pterin receptors in solution and solid phases

Pterin-based receptors (2-pivaloylamino-7-methylpterin and 2-pivaloylamino-7-dimethoxymethylpterin) have been synthesized and studied for the recognition of hydroxy/nitro substituted benzoic acids in solution as well as in solid phases. The X-ray structures of the three complexes, co-crystals [A] (receptor 1 with 3-hydroxybenzoic acid), [B] (receptor 2 with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid) and [C] (receptor 2 with 3-nitrobenzoic acid) respectively are reported and their mode of binding interactions are also discussed since pterin molecules have interesting multiple donor acceptor arrays. In solution phase association constants of receptors with guest acids are determined by the UV-vis method.