Calorimetric study on inclusion of some alcohols into α-cyclodextrin cavities

The enthalpies of transfer 2-propanol, 1,2-butanediol (BD) and 1-hexanol from aqueous to aqueous α-cyclodextrin (CD) solutions have been determined by microcalorimetry at various mole fractions at 298.15 K. To clarify stabilities of inclusion complexes in aqueous solutions, hydration Gibbs energies calculation of inclusion complex of CD-alcohol were performed by using the molecular mechanics with the MMFF94s force field in the generalized born/surface area (GB/SA) model. The largest stabilization in Gibbs energy is obtained by the hydration (Δ_hyd H) of α-CD-1,2-butanediol complex among α-CD-butanediol isomers complexes.     

Thermodynamic study on inclusion complex formation of riboflavin with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in water

The inclusion complex formation of riboflavin (RF) with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) in water was investigated by ¹H NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy, and solubility methods. A 1:1 stoichiometry and thermodynamic parameters of complex formation (K, Δ_c G ⁰, Δ_c H ⁰, and Δ_c S ⁰) were determined. Complexation was characterized by negative enthalpy and entropy changes due to prevalence of van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding between polar groups of the solutes. A partial insertion of RF into macrocyclic cavity was revealed on the basis of ¹H NMR data and molecular mechanics calculation. Location of benzene ring of RF molecule inside the hydrophobic cavity of HP-β-CD results in an increase of aqueous solubility of the former.     

Host–Guest Complexation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-Cyclodextrin with Alkyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromides in Aqueous Solution

As a continuation of our previous investigation, interactions between cyclodextrin (β-CD), γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and alkyl trimethylammonium bromides in aqueous solutions have been studied with titration calorimetry and ¹H NMR at 298.15 K. The results are discussed in terms of the amphiphilic interaction of CD with surfactants and the iceberg structure formed by water molecules existing around the hydrophobic tail of surfactant molecules. The stoichiometry of the β-CD–surfactant system is 1:1 whereas that of the γ-CD–surfactant system is 1:2. The corresponding formation enthalpy (negative) of the complexes of the two systems decreases with an increase in the number of carbon atoms (n) in hydrophobic chain of surfactant molecule, C _n H_2n+1, whereas the entropy increases with the enlargement of n.     

Inclusion complexation of diclofenac with natural and modified cyclodextrins explored through phase solubility, 1H-NMR and molecular modeling studies

Guest–host interactions were examined for neutral diclofenac (Diclo) and Diclofenac sodium (Diclo sodium) with each of the cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives: α-CD, β-CD, γ-CD and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), all in 0.05 M aqueous phosphate buffer solution adjusted to 0.2 M ionic strength with NaCl at 20 °C, and with β-CD at different pHs and temperatures. The pH solubility profiles were measured to obtain the acid–base ionization constants (pK _as) for Diclo in the presence and absence of β-CD. Phase solubility diagrams (PSDs) were also measured and analyzed through rigorous procedures to obtain estimates of the complex formation constants for Diclo/CD and Diclo sodium/CD complexation in aqueous solutions. The results indicate that both Diclo and Diclo sodium form soluble 1:1 complexes with α-, β-, and HP-β-CD. In contrast, Diclo forms soluble 1:1 Diclo/γ-CD complexes, while Diclo sodium forms 1:1 and 2:1 Diclo/γ-CD, but the 1:1 complex saturates at 5.8 mM γ-CD with a solubility product constant (pK _sp = 5.5). Therefore, though overall complex stabilities were found to follow the decreasing order: γ-CD > HP-β-CD > β-CD > α-CD, some complex precipitation problems may be faced with aqueous formulations of Diclo sodium with γ-CD, where the overall concentration of the latter exceeds 5.8 mM γ-CD. Both ¹H-NMR spectroscopic and molecular mechanical modeling (MM⁺) studies of Diclo/β-CD indicate the possible formation of soluble isomeric 1:1 complexes in water.     

1H NMR titration study of stimuli-responsive supramolecular assemblies: inclusion complexes between PEG–b-PEI copolymer-grafted dextran and naphthalene-appended γ-cyclodextrin via double-strand inclusion

We have previously prepared a stimuli-responsive inclusion complex between PEG–b-PEI–g-dextran graft copolymer (PEG–PEI–dex) and γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) in order to investigate unique inclusion phenomena, double-axle inclusion. For further study, a γ-CD derivative, mono-6-O-(2-sulfonato-6-naphthyl)-γ-CD (SN-γ-CD) was additionally synthesized for ¹H NMR titration study, which is expected to induce the competition of pendant naphthyl group with external polymer guests. Consequently, ¹H NMR titration results of the inclusion complex of PEG–PEI–dex with SN-γ-CD showed stoichiometric changes, temperature-dependence, and reversibly pH-responsive properties of the inclusion complexes in terms of chemical shift variation.     

Spectrofluorometric, thermal, and molecular mechanics studies of the inclusion complexation of selected imidazoline-derived drugs with β-cyclodextrin in aqueous media

The inclusion complexes of selected imidazoline-derived drugs, namely Antazoline (AN), Naphazoline (NP) and Xylometazoline (XM) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were investigated using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and molecular mechanics (MM) calculations and modeling. The modified form of the Benesi-Hildebrand relation was employed for estimating the formation constant (K_f) of the 1:1 inclusion complexes, which was applied based on measuring the variation in the fluorescence intensity of the guest molecule as a function of growing β-CD concentration. On the other hand, the formation of the inclusion complexes was verified by analyzing solid samples of the complexes using DSC. The thermodynamics of the inclusion complexation, standard enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy changes −(ΔS°) were obtained from the temperature-dependence of K_f. Obtained values of ΔH° and ΔS° indicated that the inclusion process favorably proceeds through enthalpy changes that was sufficiently predominant to compensate for the unfavorable entropy changes. MM calculations revealed that the proposed drugs molecules can form 1:1 inclusion complexes with β-CD that are stabilized predominantly through van der Waals forces. In addition, MM calculation provided the energetically favored configuration of the inclusion complexes, where NP and XM can be included inside the β-CD cavity through its wide rim, whereas AN can penetrate through the narrow rim of the β-CD cavity.     

Host–Guest Interactions of Risperidone with Natural and Modified Cyclodextrins: Phase Solubility, Thermodynamics and Molecular Modeling Studies

The solubility of risperidone (Risp) in aqueous buffered cyclodextrin (CD) solution was investigated for α-, β-, γ- and HP-β-CD. The effects of pH, ionic strength and temperature on complex stability were also explored. Neutral Risp tends to form higher order complexes (1:2) with both β- and HP-β-CD, but only 1:1 type complexes with α-, and γ-CD. The tendency of Risp to complex with cyclodextrins is in the order β-CD > HP-β-CD > γ-CD > α-CD. The 1:1 complex formation constant of Risp/HP-β-CD increases with increasing ionic strength in an opposite trend to the inherent solubility (S ₀) of Risp, thus indicating significant hydrophobic effect. The hydrophobic effect contributes to the extent of 72% towards neutral Risp/HP-β-CD complex stability, while specific interactions contribute only 4.7 kJ/mol. Thermodynamic studies showed that 1:1 Risp/HP-β-CD complex formation is driven by a favorable enthalpy change (ΔH ⁰=−31.2 kJ/mol, ΔS ⁰=−7 J/mol.K) while the 1:2 complex is largely driven by entropy changes (ΔH ⁰=−5.0 kJ/mol, ΔS ⁰=42 J/mol.K). Complex stability was found to vary with pH, with a higher formation constant for neutral Risp. Molecular mechanical computations using MM (atomic charges and bond dipole algorithms) and Amber force fields, which were carried out to explore possible sites of interactions between Risp and CDs and to rationalize complex stoichiometry, produced similar results concerning optimal inclusion complex geometries and stoichiometries.     

Isothermal Titration Calorimetry and Theoretical Studies on Host-guest Interaction of Ibuprofen with <Emphasis Type="Bold">α</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Bold">β</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Bold">γ</Emphasis>-Cyclodextrin

Thermodynamic parameters for formation of the inclusion complexes of α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrin (α-, β- and γ-CD) with ibuprofen (BF) in Tris-HCl buffer solutions (pH=7.0) have been determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) with nanowatt sensitivity, and the inclusion structures have been investigated by using ¹H-NMR spectra at 298.15 K. A theoretical study on the inclusion processes between BF and CDs has been performed with the B3LYP/6-31G*//PM3 method in order to investigate the formation mechanism of the inclusion complexes. An analysis of the thermodynamic data indicates that the stoichiometries of α-, β- and γ-CD with BF are all 1:1 and formation of the inclusion complexes α-CD⋅BF and β-CD⋅BF are driven by enthalpy and entropy, whereas formation of γ-CD⋅BF is an entropy driven process. The ¹H-NMR spectra provide clear evidence for the inclusion phenomenon, and show that the isobutyl group and aromatic ring of the guest molecule are trapped inside the cavity of the CDs. Theoretical calculations suggest that the complex formed by the BF molecule entering into the cavity of the CD molecule from the wide side is more stable than that from the narrow side.     

Thermodynamic properties of inclusion complexes of α-cyclodextrin + aliphatic nitriles (H(CH2) n CN: n = 1–8) in aqueous solution

In order to investigate the contribution of the hydrophilic parts of guest molecules of aliphatic complexes to the inclusion reaction, the thermodynamic properties of inclusion complexes of cyclodextrin (α-CD) with aliphatic nitriles [H(CH₂) _n CN: n = 1–8] into the α-CD cavity in dilute aqueous solutions were measured by a micro-calorimeter at 298.15 K. The thermodynamic properties of inclusion for the octane nitrile system were different from those of others. The inclusion process of aliphatic nitriles to α-CD has two kinds of major driving force of enthalpy and entropy driven inclusion. The interaction energies of inclusion complexes of α-CD and aliphatic nitriles were determined by DFT calculation (B3LYP/6-31++G (d,p)) in water and compared with the experimental results. DFT calculations were performed on the inclusion complexes of α-CD with seven nitriles of each conformer. Both the gas phase interaction and solvent effect were taken into consideration. Also non-polar interactions between aliphatic nitriles + α-CD in aqueous solution were calculated and herein the inclusion energy is discussed.     

Host–guest interactions between niobocene dichloride and α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins: preparation and characterization

The possible inclusion complexes of Cp₂NbCl₂ into α-, β-, and γ-CD hosts have been investigated. The existence of a true inclusion complex in the solid state was confirmed by a combination of thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR, PXRD, and ¹³C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopies. The solid-state results demonstrated that α-cyclodextrin does not form inclusion complexes with Cp₂NbCl₂ whereas β- and γ-cyclodextrins do form such complexes. PXRD, NMR, and thermal analysis showed that the organometallic molecules of Cp₂NbCl₂OH are included in the cavities of β- and γ-cyclodextrins, possibly adopting a symmetrical conformation in the complex, with each glucose unit in a similar environment. In solution, ¹H NMR experiments suggest that niobocene has a shallow penetration on the β-CD leading to upfield shift on H-3 signal with a minor perturbation on the H-5 proton while for γ-CD, both H-3 and H-5 are shifted upfield substantially. This suggests that niobocene penetrates deeper into the γ-CD cavity than in the β-CD cavity, as a result of the cavity size. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Cisapride/β-cyclodextrin complexation: stability constants, thermodynamics, and guest–host interactions probed by 1H-NMR and molecular modeling studies

Phase solubility techniques were used to obtain the complexation parameters of cisapride (Cisp) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) in aqueous 0.05 M citrate buffer solutions. From the UV absorption spectra and the pH solubility profile, two basic pK _as were estimated: pK _a(1+) = 8.7 and pK _a(2+) < 2. The inherent solubility (S _o) of Cisp was found to increase as pH decreases, but is limited by the solubility product of the CispH⁺·citrate¹⁻ salt at low pH (pK _sp = 3.0). Cisp forms soluble 1:1 and 1:2 Cisp/β-CD complexes. A quantitative measure of the hydrophobic effect (desolvation) contribution to 1:1 complex formation was obtained from the linear variation of free energy of 1:1 Cisp/β-CD complex formation (ΔG ₁₁ = −RT ln K ₁₁ < 0) with that of the inherent solubility of Cisp . The results show that the hydrophobic character of Cisp contributes about 35% of the total driving force to 1:1 complex formation (slope = −0.35), while other factors, including specific interactions, contribute −10.6 kJ/mol (intercept). Protonated 1:1 Cisp/β-CD complex formation at pH 6.0 is driven by favorable enthalpy (ΔH° = −9 kJ/mol) and entropy (ΔS° = 51 J/mol K) changes. In contrast, inherent Cisp solubility is impeded by unfavorable enthalpy (ΔH° = 12 kJ/mol) and entropy (ΔS° = 90 J/mol K) changes. ¹H-NMR spectra in D₂O and molecular mechanical studies indicate the formation of inclusion complexes. The dominant driving force for neutral Cisp/β-CD complexation in vacuo was predominantly van der Waals with very little electrostatic contribution.     

Enhancement of aqueous solubility of tricyclic acyclovir derivatives by their complexation with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

Solubilities of tricyclic acyclovir derivatives in buffered aqueous solutions of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) at pH 5.5 and 7.0 were determined at 25 and 37 °C. Complexation of these compounds with HP-β-CD resulted in a noticeable increase of their solubility; nevertheless it was limited to tricyclic derivatives of acyclovir carrying an aryl substituent. Combination of ¹H NMR and DSC techniques demonstrated the existence of inclusion complexes between acyclovir derivatives and HP-β-CD. The stability constants, estimated using the Higuchi–Connors method, were found in the range of 10–100 M⁻¹. Additionally, the pK _a values at 25 °C and molar extinction coefficients in aqueous buffered solutions were also determined for all studied compounds.     

Study on inclusion complexes of meso-tetrakis(2-thienyl)porphyrin and Cu-meso-tetrakis(2-thienyl)porphyrin with cyclodextrins by spectroscopy method

In phosphate buffer solution of pH5.4, the interaction of meso-tetrakis(2-thienyl)porphyrin(H₂TTP) and Cu-meso-tetrakis(2-thienyl)porphyrin(Cu-TTP) with α-cyclodextrin(α-CD), β-CD, γ-CD, heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-CD(TM-β-CD) has been studied by means of UV-vis, fluorescence and ¹HNMR spectroscopy, respectively. The H₂TTP and Cu-TTP can form 1:2 inclusion complexes with TM-β-CD and 1:1 inclusion complexes with the other three cyclodextrins. In this paper, the inclusion constants (K) of H₂TTP and Cu-TTP for the formation of the inclusion complexes have been estimated from the changes of absorbance and fluorescence intensity in phosphate buffer solution. The inclusive capabilities of different kinds of cyclodextrins are compared. The result shows that the inclusion ability of α-CD with H₂TTP and Cu-TTP is the strongest among the three native CDs. The inclusion ability of modified β-CD with H₂TTP and Cu-TTP is stronger, compared to the native β-CD, which indicates that the capacity matching plays a crucial role in the inclusion procedure except for the hydrophobic effect. In addition ¹HNMR spectra supports the inclusion conformation of the TM-β-CD-Cu-TTP inclusion complex, indicating the interaction mechanism of inclusion processes.     

Effect of Solvents and pH on <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexation of 2,4-Dihydroxyazobenzene and 4-Hydroxyazobenzene

The spectral characteristics of 2,4-dihydroxyazobenzene (DHAB, sudan orange G) and 4-hydroxyazobenzene (HAB) have been studied in various solvents, different hydrogen ion and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) concentrations, and are compared with azobenzene (AB). The inclusion complexes of the above molecules with β-CD were analyzed by UV-vis spectrometry, flourometry, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, SEM and DFT methods. The solvent study shows that only the azo form is present in DHAB and HAB molecules. The unusually large red shift observed in acidic solutions indicates both molecules exhibit azo-hydrazo tautomerization. In the β-CD solutions, the increase in fluorescence intensity and large bathochromic shift in the S₁ state indicates that DHAB and HAB form 2:2 inclusion complexes, whereas AB forms a 1:1 inclusion complex.     

Solvatochromism, prototropism and complexation of para-aminobenzoic acid

Effect of solvents, buffer solutions of different pH and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on the absorption and fluorescence spectra of p-aminobenzoic acid (pABA) have been investigated. The inclusion complex of pABA with β-CD is investigated by UV-visible, fluorimetry, semiempirical quantum calculations (AM1), ¹H NMR and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG and ΔS) of the inclusion process are also determined. The experimental results indicated that the inclusion processes is an exothermic and spontaneous. The large Stokes shift emission in solvents with pABA are correlated with different solvent polarity scales. The increase in the excited dipole moment values suggest that pABA molecule is more polar in the S₁ state. Solvent and β-CD studies indicates intramolecular charge transfer in pABA is less than ortho and meta isomers. Acidity constants for different prototropic equilibria of pABA in the S₀ and S₁ states are calculated. β-Cyclodextrin studies shows that pABA forms a 1:1 inclusion complex with β-CD. A mechanism is proposed to explain the inclusion process.     

Effect of akyl-γ-cyclodextrins on the stability of retinol

Inclusion complexation between retinol (RET) and two synthetic alkyl carbonates of γ-cyclodextrin (alkyl-γ-CD) derivatives, ethyl-γ-cyclodextrin (E-CD) and octyl-γ-cyclodextrin (O-CD), was investigated by means of different techniques. The complexes were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Phase solubility studies, according to the method of Higuchi and Connors [1] were used to evaluate the complexation in aqueous solution at room temperature. In the present study inclusion complexes of retinol with E-CD and with O-CD were prepared to prevent its rapid degradation. In order to investigate the behavior of retinol under UV light, test of irradiation was performed separately on samples prepared dispersing retinol (0.1% w/w) or an equivalent amount of retinol/alkyl-γ-CD respectively in hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) gel and in an O/W emulsion. The stability over time of retinol was also investigated storing the samples at 40 °C. Moreover retinol permeation through porcine skin has been evaluated employing Franz cells [2]. Retinol solubility was increased in presence of cyclodextrins while DSC analysis suggest that this inclusion agents are able to interact with retinol. Data for skin accumulation in porcine ear skin showed that alkyl-CDs increase of approximatively 1,5-fold retinol skin accumulation. Studies on the stability showed that both the inclusion complexes considered are able to increase retinol stability to light exposure and also to heat.     

Selective Binding Thermodynamics of Bile Acids by Oligo (ethylenediamino)-β-Cyclodextrins and Their Copper (II) Complexes

Complex stability constants (K _S), standard molar enthalpy changes (ΔH°) and entropy changes (TΔS°) for the inclusion complexation of native β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) (1) and some modified β-CDs, i.e., mono(6-ethylenediamino-6-deoxy)-β-CD (3), mono[6-diethylenetriamino-6-deoxy]-β-CD (4) and their corresponding copper complexes 5 and 6, with four representative bile acid guests, i.e., cholate (CA), deoxycholate (DCA), glycocholate (GCA) and taurocholate (TCA), were determined at 25 °C in aqueous phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.20) by means of isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC). The stoichiometry of resulting inclusion complexes between CDs and bile acids was demonstrated by UV and conductivity as well as ITC experiments, showing 1:1 binding model upon all inclusion complexation except for metal-mediated dimer 5. The complex stability constants for modified β-CD 2–4 are dramatically magnified with the extended length of amino tether. As compared with 3 and 4, copper(II) complexes 5 and 6 significantly enhance not only binding ability but also molecular selectivity toward bile guest molecule CA through multipoint recognition, but decreased complexes stability toward TCA could be attributed to the decreased hydrophobic microenvironment of CDs cavity due to the introduction of copper(II) coordination center. Thermodynamically, the resulting complexes between hosts and bile guests are driven absolutely by enthalpy, accompanied by entropy gain or loss. Using the present data and those previously reported for mono(6-amino-6-deoxy)-β-CD (2), thermodynamic behavior and enhanced molecular selectivity could be discussed from the viewpoint of hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic cooperation and van der Waals between the hosts and guests.     

Effect of Buffer Species on the Inclusion Complexation of Acidic Drug Celecoxib with Cyclodextrin in Solution

The interaction of celecoxib (Celox) with cyclodextrins (CDs) has been investigated by phase solubility techniques. In this study, the influences of CD type, pH, buffer type, buffer concentration and temperature on the tendency of Celox to form inclusion complexes with CDs were examined. The tendency of Celox to complex with CDs is in the order HP-β-CD > β-CD > γ-CD > α-CD, where the complex formation constants (K ₁₁) were 1377, 693, 126 and 60 M⁻¹, respectively. Also ionization of the slightly acidic Celox (pK _a=9.7) was found to reduce its tendency to complex (i.e., The K ₁₁ values of Celox/β-CD in 0.05 M phosphate buffer were 976 and 210 M⁻¹ for neutral and ionized Celox, respectively). Increasing citrate and phosphate buffer concentration enhances the tendency of ionized Celox to complex with β-CD as a result of a corresponding decrease in the inherent solubility (S ₀) of the Celox anion. On the other hand, these two buffers interact differently with neutral Celox and β-CD, where increasing phosphate buffer concentration at low pH enhances the complexation of neutral Celox by lowering S ₀, while increasing citrate buffer concentration at low pH reduces complex formation as citrate buffer species, mainly citric acid, act as a solublizer and a competitor for Celox and β-CD. The contribution of Celox hydrophobicity for complex stability constitutes about 77% of the driving force for complex stability. The complex formation of neutral Celox with β-CD (ΔG ⁰=−28.6 kJ/mol) is driven by both enthalpy (ΔH ⁰=−21.7 kJ/mol) and entropy (ΔS ⁰=23.3 J/mol K) changes.     

Prednisone/Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexation: Phase Solubility,Thermodynamic, Physicochemical and Computational Analysis

Guest–host interaction of prednisone (PN) with cyclodextrins (CDs) have been investigated using phase solubility diagrams (PSD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular mechanical modeling (MM). Estimates of the complex formation constant (K ₁₁) show that the tendency of PN to complex with CDs follows the order: β-CD>γ-CD>HP-β-CD>α-CD. At the same pH of 7.0, β-CD forms soluble 1:1 and insoluble 1:2 PN/CD complexes (B_S-type PSDs). The thermodynamic functions for 1:1 PN/β-CD estimated at pH = 7.0 (ΔG ₁₁^o=−20.8 kJ⋅mol⁻¹) show that complexation is driven by enthalpy (−30.7 kJ⋅mol⁻¹) but retarded by entropy (ΔS ₁₁^o=−33.1 J⋅mol⁻¹⋅K⁻¹) changes. The MM modeling study indicates the formation of different isomeric 1:1 complexes with CDs. PSD, DSC, XRPD, SEM and MM studies established the formation of inclusion complexes in solution and the solid state.     

Enhanced ternary 1:2 host–guest complexation of amino-γ-cyclodextrins with 2-anthracenecarboxylic acid

The complexation behavior of 6-amino-6-deoxy-γ-cyclodextrin (CD), 6^A,6^X-diamino-6^A,6^X-deoxy-γ-CDs and 3^A-amino-3^A-deoxy-altro-γ-CD with 2-anthracenecarboxylic acid (AC) was studied by NMR, UV–vis and circular dichroism spectroscopy. These modified γ-CD derivatives were found to form stable 1:2 host-guest ternary complexes with AC in aqueous solution. Compared with native γ-CD, the primary-face-aminated γ-CDs exhibited remarkably enhanced overall association constants as a result of the additional electrostatic interactions between the oppositely charged host and guest. In contrast, the ternary complex formation of the secondary-face-aminated γ-CD with AC was hindered.