Solubilization of Polycyclic Aromatics in Water by γ‐Cyclodextrin Derivatives

A series of hydrophilic per‐6‐thio‐6‐deoxy‐γ‐cyclodextrins (CDs) were synthesized from per‐6‐iodo‐6‐deoxy‐γ‐CD. These new hosts are able to solubilize polycyclic aromatic guests in aqueous solution to much higher extents than native CDs. Phase‐solubility diagrams were mostly linear in accordance with both 1:1 and 1:2 CD–guest complexes in aqueous solution. The stoichiometry of the inclusion complexes was further investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, which revealed very pronounced Stokes shifts typical for 1:2 complexes. This finding was further consolidated by quantum mechanical calculations of dimer formation of the guests and space‐filling considerations by using the cross‐sectional areas of the CDs and guests. The calculated dimerization energies correlated well with the binding free energies measured for the 1:2 complexes, and provided the main contribution to the driving force of complexation in the γ‐CD cavity.     

Structural Studies for Specific Binding Capacity of β‐Cyclodextrin with Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen (Ibu) and β‐cyclodextrin (βCD) and its derivative (hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin, HPβCD) complexes spatial geometry information were studyed. Firstly, phase solubility experiment was carried out for S‐(+)‐ibuprofen (SIbu) and cyclodextrins complex. The apparent stability constant (Kc) for 1:1 complexes are 1065 M‐1 (βCD) and 1476 M‐1 (HPβCD) respectively. Secondly, ¹H NMR and two‐dimensional rotating‐frame overhauser effect spectroscopy (2D ROESY) were used for binding study, and confirmed that benzene ring of Ibu is deeply included into the cavity and racemic Ibu (RSIbu) can be discriminated by βCD or HPβCD. Finally, docking model was given by theoretical investigation. The model with ‐4.77 kcal/mol binding energy matches experimental structure.     

Effect of urea on analyte complexation by 2,6‐dimethyl‐β‐CD in peptide enantioseparations by CE

The aim of the present study was the investigation of the effect of urea on analyte complexation in CD‐mediated separations of peptide enantiomers by CE in the pH range of about 2–5. pH‐independent complexation and mobility parameters in the absence and presence of 2 M urea were obtained by three‐dimensional, non‐linear curve fitting of the effective analyte mobility as a function of pH and heptakis‐(2,6‐di‐O‐methyl)‐β‐CD concentration. Urea led to decreased binding strength of the CD towards the protonated and neutral analyte enantiomers as well as to decreased mobilities of the free analytes. In contrast, mobilities of the fully protonated enantiomer–CD complexes as well as the pK_a values of the free and complexed analytes increased. The effect of urea on separation efficiency varied with pH and CD concentration. In the case of Ala‐Tyr and Ala‐Phe, separations improved in the presence of urea at pH 2.2. In contrast, separations were impaired by urea at pH 3.8 and low concentrations of the CD. Decreased separation efficiency was noted for Asp‐PheOMe and Glu‐PheNH₂ at low CD concentrations when urea was added but separations improved at higher CD concentrations over the entire pH range studied. The effect of urea on analyte complexation appeared to be primarily non‐stereoselective. Furthermore, the pH‐dependent reversal of the enantiomer migration order observed for Ala‐Tyr and Ala‐Phe can be rationalized by the complexation and mobility parameters.     

Enantioseparation of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids by hydroxypropyl‐γ‐cyclodextrin‐modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Complete resolution of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) enantiomers was achieved using hydroxypropyl‐γ‐cyclodextrin (HP‐γ‐CD)‐modified MEKC. The optimum running conditions were determined to be utilizing a 30 mM phosphate–15 mM borate buffer (pH 9.0) containing 30 mM HP‐γ‐CD and 75 mM SDS as the BGE, application of +30 kV as the effective voltage, and carrying out the experiment at 15°C. The eluents were detected at 235 nm. The method was used successfully for the simultaneous separations of (S)‐ and (R)‐enantiomers of regioisomeric 8‐, 11‐, 12‐, and 15‐HETEs. Subsequently, the optimized method was applied to evaluate the stereochemistry of 8‐ and 12‐HETEs from the marine red algae, Gracilaria vermiculophylla and Gracilaria arcuata, respectively. The 8‐HETE was found to be a mixture of 98% (R)‐enantiomer and 2% (S)‐enantiomer, while the 12‐HETE was a mixture of 98% (S)‐enantiomer and 2% (R)‐enantiomer. The present study demonstrates that the HP‐γ‐CD‐modified MEKC method is simple and sensitive and provides unambiguous information on the configuration of natural and synthetic HETEs.     

Veronicafolin－β-环糊精的物化表征及Veronicafolin－羟丙基-β-环糊精包合物溶解性的增强

用氢谱、红外光谱、X-射线粉末衍射、热分析、元素分析等测试方法研究了Veronicafolin (3,5,4′-三羟基-6,7,3′-三甲氧基黄酮) 和β-环糊精 (β-CD) 的固体包合物的谱学特征。元素分析结果显示形成Veronicafolin-β-CD·20H2O包合物，其中C：39.58%, H: 5.75%，表明包合物中主客体比为1∶1。该包合类型属于A_L-型。通过紫外-可见分光光度法研究了在羟丙基-β-环糊精（HP-β-CD）的存在下Veronicafolin的相溶解度曲线，测得校正曲线为y = 24148x + 0.0075 (r=0.9999)，相溶解曲线为y=0.4738x-2.0×10^-7 (r=0.9490)，包结平衡常数Ks为4.5×10⁶mol-1。HP-β-CD提高了黄酮醇Veronicafolin的溶解度。     

Analysis and retention behavior of isoflavone glycosides and aglycones in Radix Astragali by HPLC with hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin as a mobile phase additive

In order to determine isoflavone glycosides (calycosin‐7‐O‐β‐d ‐glucoside and formononetin‐7‐O‐β‐d ‐glucoside) and aglycones (calycosin and formononetin), a simple HPLC method with isocratic elution employing hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD) as a mobile phase additive was developed. Various factors affecting the retention of isoflavone glycosides and aglycones in the C₁₈ reversed‐phase column, such as the nature of cyclodextrins, HP‐β‐CD concentration, and methanol concentration, were systematically studied. The results show that HP‐β‐CD, as a very effective mobile phase additive, can markedly reduce the retention of isoflavone glycosides and aglycones, and the decrease magnitudes of isoflavone aglycones are more than those of their glycosides. The role of HP‐β‐CD in the developed HPLC method is attributed to the formation of the inclusion complexes between isoflavone glycosides (or aglycones) and HP‐β‐CD. So, the apparent formation constants of the isoflavone glycosides (or aglycones)/HP‐β‐CD inclusion complexes also were investigated. Isoflavone glycosides (and aglycones) form the 1:1 inclusion complexes with HP‐β‐CD, and the isoflavone aglycones/HP‐β‐CD complexes are more stable than the isoflavone glycosides/HP‐β‐CD complexes. Finally, the optimized method was successfully applied for the determination of isoflavone glycosides and aglycones in Radix Astragali samples.     

Structure selective complexation of cyclodextrins with five polyphenols investigated by capillary electrokinetic chromatography

The complexation of five polyphenols, namely trans‐resveratrol, astilbin, taxifolin, ferulic acid, and syringic acid (guest molecules) with α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrin (host molecules), was investigated by capillary electrokinetic chromatography. The binding constants were calculated based on the effective electrophoretic mobility change of guests with the addition of cyclodextrins into the background electrolyte. Because of cavity size, cyclodextrins showed structure‐selective complexation property to different guest. The stability of the trans‐resveratrol complexes was in the order of β‐ > α‐ > γ‐cyclodextrin. The cavity size of α‐cyclodextrin was too small for astilbin and taxifolin molecules, and thus they could not form complexes. The molecular size of syringic acid was too big for all cyclodextrins cavity, and no cyclodextrin could form complexes with it. Temperature studies showed that the binding constants decreased with the rise of temperature. Enthalpy and entropy values were calculated and the negative values of these parameters indicated that the complexation process was enthalpy‐controlled. Van der Waals force and release of high‐enthalpy water molecules from the cyclodextrins cavity played important roles in the process.     

Estimation of apparent binding constant of complexes of selected acyclic nucleoside phosphonates with β‐cyclodextrin by affinity capillary electrophoresis

Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) has been applied to estimation of apparent binding constant of complexes of (R,S)‐enantiomers of selected acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) with chiral selector β‐cyclodextrin (βCD) in aqueous alkaline medium. The noncovalent interactions of five pairs of (R,S)‐enantiomers of ANPs‐based antiviral drugs and their derivatives with βCD were investigated in the background electrolyte (BGE) composed of 35 or 50 mM sodium tetraborate, pH 10.0, and containing variable concentration (0–25 mM) of βCD. The apparent binding constants of the complexes of (R,S)‐enantiomers of ANPs with βCD were estimated from the dependence of effective electrophoretic mobilities of (R,S)‐enantiomers of ANPs (measured simultaneously by ACE at constant reference temperature 25°C inside the capillary) on the concentration of βCD in the BGE using different nonlinear and linear calculation methodologies. Nonlinear regression analysis provided more precise and accurate values of the binding constants and a higher correlation coefficient as compared to the regression analysis of the three linearized plots of the effective mobility dependence on βCD concentration in the BGE. The complexes of (R,S)‐enantiomers of ANPs with βCD have been found to be relatively weak – their apparent binding constants determined by the nonlinear regression analysis were in the range 13.3–46.4 L/mol whereas the values from the linearized plots spanned the interval 12.3–55.2 L/mol.     

Affinity capillary electrophoresis method for investigation of bile salts complexation with sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin

Sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin (SBEβCD) is utilized in preformulation and drug formulation as an excipient for solubilization of drugs with poor aqueous solubility. Approximately seven negative charges of SBEβCD play a role with respect to solubilization and complexation, but also have an influence on the ionic strength of the background electrolyte when the cyclodextrin is used in capillary electrophoresis. Mobility‐shift affinity capillary methods for investigation of the complexation of taurocholate and taurochenodeoxycholate with the negatively charged cyclodextrin derivative applying constant power and ionic strength conditions as well as constant voltage and varying ionic strength were investigated. A new approach for the correction of background electrolyte ionic strength was developed. Mobility‐shift affinity capillary electrophoresis experiments obtained at constant voltage and constant power settings were compared and found to provide binding parameters that were in good agreement upon correction. The complexation of taurochenodeoxycholate with SBEβCD was significantly stronger than the corresponding interaction involving taurocholate. The obtained stability constants for the bile salts were in the same range as those previously reported for the interaction with neutral β‐cyclodextrins derivatives, i.e. the positions of the negative charges on SBEβCD and the bile salts within the complex did not lead to significant electrostatic repulsion.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies on molecular interaction of antipyrine donor and 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone as an electron acceptor in different solvents

The charge–transfer (CT) complex of donor antipyrine with Π‐acceptor 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) has been investigated spectrophotometrically in different halocarbon and acetonitrile solvents. The results indicated immediate formation of an electron donor–acceptor complex (DA), which is followed by two relatively slow consecutive reactions. The pseudo–first‐order rate constants for the formation of the ionic intermediate and the final product at various temperatures were evaluated from the absorbance–time data. The activation parameters, viz. activation energy, enthalpy, entropy, and free energy of activation, were computed from temperature dependence of rate constants. The stoichiometry of the complex was found to be 1:1 by Job's method of continuous variation. The formation constants of the resulting DA complexes were determined by the Benesi–Hildebrand equation at four different temperatures. The enthalpies and entropies of the complex formation reactions have been obtained by temperature dependence of the formation constants using Van't Hoff equation. The results indicate that DDQ complexes of antipyrine in all solvents are enthalpy stabilized but entropy destabilized. Both the kinetics of the interaction and the formation constants of the complexes are dependent upon the polarity of the solvents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 45: 81–91, 2013     

Determination of apparent binding constants by NSAIDs-βcyclodextrin complexes: HPLC, phase solubility diagrams and theoretical studies

The complexation of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal antiinflamatory drugs): Ibuprofen (Ibu), Ketoprofen (Ket) and Naproxen (Nap) with βcyclodextrin (βCD) has been studied from structural and thermodynamic points of view. The binding constants of NSAIDs-βCD complexes were determined by reversed phase liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and phase solubility diagrams using a UV–Vis spectrophotometric method varying the working temperature. The complexation efficiency (CE) values were determined: CE_Ibu ≈ CE_Nap < CE_Ket. Experimental measurements indicated that K_Nap-βCD > K_Ibu-βCD > K_Ket-βCD, and that the apparent stability constants decrease as the polarity of the solvent decreases. The changes of ?Hº (enthalpy), ?Sº (entropy) and ?Gº (Gibbs free energy) for the inclusion process were obtained by means of the van’t Hoff equation. In addition, semiempirical quantum mechanics calculations using the PM6 method were performed. The energetically favorable structures of the inclusion complexes were identified: the most favorable orientation was found to be the head down for all the complexes. Enthalpy for complexation processes was found to be favorable (?Hº < 0), entropy was found unfavorable (?Sº < 0) and Gibbs free energy was favorable (?Gº < 0). The theoretical results are in agreement with the experimental parameters associated with the encapsulation process.     

Fluorescence Sensing and Selective Binding of a Novel 4,4′‐Sulfonyldianiline‐Bridged Bis(β‐cyclodextrin) for Bile Salts

A novel 4,4′‐sulfonyldianiline‐bridged bis(β‐cyclodextrin (CD)) 2 was synthesized, and its complex stability constants (K_s) for the 1 : 1 inclusion complexation with bile salts, i.e., cholate (CA), deoxycholate (DCA), glycocholate (GCA), and taurocholate (TCA) have been determined in phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) at 25° by fluorescence spectroscopy. The result indicated that 2 can act as efficient fluorescent sensor and display remarkable fluorescence enhancement upon addition of optically inert bile salts. Structures of the inclusion complexes between bile salts and 2 were elucidated by 2D‐NMR experiments, indicating that the anionic tail group and the D ring of bile salts penetrate into one CD cavity of 2 from the wide opening deeply, while the phenyl moiety of the CD linker is partially self‐included in the other CD cavity to form a host–linker–guest binding mode. As compared with native β‐CD 1 upon complexation with bile salts, bis(β‐CD) 2 enhances the binding ability and molecular selectivity. Typically, 2 gives the highest K_s value of 26200 M ^?1 for the complexation with CA, which may be ascribed to the simultaneous contributions of hydrophobic, H‐bond, and electrostatic interactions. These phenomena are discussed from the viewpoints of multiple recognition and induce‐fit interactions between host and guest.     

Determination of the binding constants of modafinil enantiomers with sulfated β‐cyclodextrin chiral selector by capillary electrophoresis using three different linear plotting methods

Binding constants for the enantiomers of modafinil with the negatively charged chiral selector sulfated‐β‐CD (S‐β‐CD) using CE technique is presented. The calculations of the binding constants employing three different linearization plots (double reciprocal, X‐reciprocal and Y‐reciprocal) were performed from the electrophoretic mobility values of modafinil enantiomers at different concentrations of S‐β‐CD in the BGE. The highest inclusion affinity of the modafinil enantiomers were observed for the S‐enantiomer–S‐β‐CD complex, in agreement with the computational calculations performed previously. Binding constants for each enantiomer–S‐β‐CD complex at different temperatures, as well as thermodynamic parameters for binding, were calculated. Host–guest binding constants using the double reciprocal fit showed better linearity (r²>0.99) at all temperatures studied (15–30°C) and compared with the other two fit methods. The linear van't Hoff (15–30°C) plot obtained indicated that the thermodynamic parameters of complexation were temperature dependent for the enantiomers.     

β-环糊精与有机胺之间包合作用的理论与实验研究

通过实验和理论计算方法研究了β-环糊精(CD)与乙二胺1及它的三个类似物: 二乙烯三胺2、三乙胺3和乙二胺四乙酸4之间的包合作用. 利用旋光法确定了β-CD与客体分子形成1:1型主–客体包合物, 在298.2 K下测定了包合物在水中的稳定常数(K). 采用半经验PM3方法考察了β-CD与短链脂肪胺1~7、环状脂肪胺8~11以及芳香胺12~13的分子间结合能力, 报道了β-CD与这些客体分子间的包合络合过程并讨论了这些包合体系之间的包合差异性. 变形能和水合能对包合体系的相互作用能的贡献均相当小. β-CD包合物的稳定性取决于主、客体分子之间的尺寸匹配. 对于β-CD与客体1~4形成的包合物而言, 旋光法测定的包合物的K值的顺序与PM3计算得到的包合物络合能绝对值的排序有很好的一致性.     

Inclusion Complexes of Coenzyme Q10 with Polyamine‐Modified β‐Cyclodextrins: Characterization,Solubilization, and Inclusion Mode

The inclusion‐complexation behavior of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) with the three polyamine‐modified β‐cyclodextrins (CDs) 1 – 3 was investigated in both solution and the solid state by means of NMR, XRD, and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The results showed that the apparent solubility of CoQ10 increased linearly upon addition of hosts 1 – 3 , giving A_L‐type phase‐solubility curves. These hosts 1 – 3 were able to solubilize CoQ10 to high levels, up to 1.35, 1.52, and 1.44 mg/ml (calculated as CoQ10), respectively. The host 2 with a moderate‐length chain is the most suitable for inclusion complexation of CoQ10. Accroding to the ROESY experiments, the MeO groups of CoQ10 and the tether of 2 can be co‐included into the cavity of β‐CD through the induced‐fit interaction between host and guest. The binding ability of modified β‐CDs 1 – 3 upon complexation with CoQ10 are discussed from the viewpoints of the size/shape‐matching relationship and the induced‐fit concept between host CDs and guest CoQ10 molecule.     

Supramolecular inclusion complexation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane capped poly(ε‐caprolactone) with α‐cyclodextrin

Supramolecular inclusion complexes (ICs) involving polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) capped poly(?‐caprolactone) (PCL) and α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) were investigated. POSS‐terminated PCLs with various molecular weights were prepared via the ring‐opening polymerization of ?‐caprolactone (CL) with 3‐hydroxypropylheptaphenyl POSS as an initiator. Because of the presence of the bulky silsesquioxane terminal group, the inclusion complexation between α‐CD and the POSS‐capped PCL was carried out only with a single end of a PCL chain threading inside the cavity of α‐CD, which allowed the evaluation of the effect of the POSS terminal groups on the efficiency of the inclusion complexation. The X‐ray diffraction results indicated that the organic–inorganic ICs had a channel‐type crystalline structure. The stoichiometry of the organic–inorganic ICs was quite dependent on the molecular weights of the POSS‐capped PCLs. With moderate molecular weights of the POSS‐capped PCLs (e.g., M_n =3860 or 9880), the stoichiometry was 1:1 mol/mol (CL unit/α‐CD), which was close to the literature value based on the inclusion complexation of α‐CD with normal linear PCL chains with comparable molecular weights. When the PCL chains were shorter (e.g., for the POSS‐capped PCL of M_n = 1720 or 2490), the efficiency of the inclusion complexation decreased. The decreased efficiency of the inclusion complexation could be attributed to the lower mobility of the bulky POSS group, which restricted the motion of the PCL chain attached to the silsesquioxane cage. This effect was pronounced with the decreasing length of the PCL chains. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1247–1259, 2007     

Characterization of complexes between phenethylamine enantiomers and β‐cyclodextrin derivatives by capillary electrophoresis—Determination of binding constants and complex mobilities

To optimize chiral separation conditions and to improve the knowledge of enantioseparation, it is important to know the binding constants K between analytes and cyclodextrins and the electrophoretic mobilities of the temporarily formed analyte‐cyclodextrin‐complexes. K values for complexes between eight phenethylamine enantiomers, namely ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine and norephedrine, and four different β‐cyclodextrin derivatives were determined by affinity capillary electrophoresis. The binding constants were calculated from the electrophoretic mobility values of the phenethylamine enantiomers at increasing concentrations of cyclodextrins in running buffer. Three different linear plotting methods (x ‐reciprocal, y ‐reciprocal, double reciprocal) and nonlinear regression were used for the determination of binding constants with β‐cyclodextrin, (2‐hydroxypropyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin, methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin and 6‐O‐α‐maltosyl‐β‐cyclodextrin. The cyclodextrin concentration in a 50 mM phosphate buffer pH 3.0 was varied from 0 to 12 mM. To investigate the influence of the binding constant values on the enantioseparation the observed electrophoretic selectivities were compared with the obtained K values and the calculated enantiomer‐cyclodextrin‐complex mobilities. The different electrophoretic mobilities of the temporarily formed complexes were crucial factors for the migration order and enantioseparation of ephedrine derivatives. To verify the apparent binding constants determined by capillary electrophoresis, a titration process using ephedrine enantiomers and β‐cyclodextrin was carried out. Furthermore, the isothermal titration calorimetry measurements gave information about the thermal properties of the complexes.     

NMR Spectroscopic Study of the Self‐Aggregation of 3‐Hexen‐1,5‐diyne Derivatives

The self‐assembly of polycatenar molecules derived from 1,6‐diphenyl‐3,4‐dipropyl‐3‐hexen‐1,5‐diyne has been studied in detail by solution NMR spectroscopy. The analysis of the concentration‐ and temperature‐dependent evolution of the chemical shifts and the diffusion coefficients in [D₁₂]cyclohexane agrees well with an isodesmic model of association in this solvent. The association constants for the stacking and entropy and enthalpy of the process have been obtained. The driving force for the aggregation process is provided by a negative enthalpy (ΔH), which is partially compensated by a negative entropy (ΔS). A structural study of the self‐assembly in solution has been carried out with the help of NOESY NMR spectroscopic experiments.     

Interaction of Bovine Serum Albumin with N‐(4‐Ethoxyphenyl)‐N′‐(4‐Antipyrinyl)Thiourea (EPAT) Using Spectroscopies

The interaction between N‐(4‐ethoxyphenyl)‐N′‐(4‐antipyrinyl)thiourea (EPAT) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with UV absorption spectroscopy. The intrinsic fluorescence of bovine serum albumin was quenched by EPAT through a static quenching procedure. The binding constants of EPAT with BSA were estimated according to the fluorescence quenching results at different temperatures. The thermodynamic parameters: enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) were calculated to be ?10.69 kJ/mol and 42.64 J·mol^?1·K^?1 according to thermodynamic equations, respectively, and indicating that the binding force was suggested to be mainly a hydrophobic force. The effect of common ions on the binding constant was also investigated. A new fluorescence spectroscopy assay of the proteins was presented in this paper. The determination results of the proteins in bovine serum by means of this method were very close to those obtained using Coomassie Brilliant Blue G‐250 colorimetry.     

Heat‐Induced Supramolecular Organogels Composed of α‐Cyclodextrin and “Jellyfish‐Like” β‐Cyclodextrin–Poly(ε‐caprolactone)

In general, the complexation and gelation behavior between biocompatible poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) derivatives and α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) is extensively studied in water, but not in organic solvents. In this article, the complexation and gelation behavior between α‐CD and multi‐arm polymer β‐cyclodextrin‐PCL (β‐CD‐PCL) with a unique “jellyfish‐like” structure are thoroughly investigated in organic solvent N,N‐dimethylformamide and a new heat‐induced organogel is obtained. However, PCL linear polymers cannot form organogels under the same condition. The complexation is characterized by rheological measurements, DSC, XRD, and SEM. The SEM images reveal that the complexes between β‐CD‐PCL and α‐CD present a novel topological helix porous structure which is distinctly different from the lamellar structure formed by PCL linear polymers and α‐CD, suggesting the unique “jellyfish‐like” structure of β‐CD‐PCL is crucial for the formation of the organogels. This research may provide insight into constructing new supramolecular organogels and potential for designing new functional biomaterials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013 , 51, 1598–1606