NMR Investigations of Inclusion Complexes between β-Cyclodextrin and Naphthalene/Anthraquinone Derivatives

A ¹H and ¹³C NMR study on the inclusion complex between β-cyclodextrin and naphthalene, 1,5-dichloronaphthalene and 9,10-anthraquinone was carried out in order to define the stoichiometry of the association and the possible conformations. The upfield variation of the chemical shifts from the protons locate inside the cavity (H-3, H-5) coupled with the downfield variation of the other protons which locate outer sphere of the β-CD (H-1, H-2, H-4 and H-6,6′) provided clear evidence of the inclusion phenomena. The NMR spectra revealed the formation of 1:1 inclusion complex in which aromatic ring of the guest is tightly held by the host cavity. The signal degeneration of ¹H & ¹³C NMR spectra still exist for naphthalene and 1,5-dichloronaphthalene upon complexation revealed a symmetrical conformation of the guest molecules in the cavity of β-cyclodextrin, respectively. However, in 9,10-anthraquinone, the signal degeneration of ¹H & ¹³C NMR spectra was removed upon complexation which revealed an unsymmetrical conformation of the guest molecule inside the cavity. According to theoretical calculations and NMR studies, the possible conformations of the inclusion complexes are given here.