Metal–Organic Cyclohelicates as Optical Receptors for Glutathione: Syntheses,Structures, and Host–Guest Behaviors

Two trinuclear zinc‐based cyclohelicates, Zn–PDB (PDB=[5‐(dibenzylamino)‐N1′,N3′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene)isophthalohydrazide]) and Zn–PMB (PMB=[5‐(bodipy‐oxy)‐N1′,N3′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene)isophthalohydrazide]) containing dibenzylamino and BODIPY groups, respectively, were generated by incorporating two amide‐containing tridentate chelators into meta‐positions of a substituted phenyl ring. Single‐crystal structure analysis and related spectroscopic characterizations demonstrated the formation of macrocyclic helicals both in the solid state and in solution. The host–guest behavior of the cyclohelical hosts towards γ‐glutamyl‐cysteinyl‐glycine (GSH) and its component amino acids was investigated by spectroscopic titrations. UV/Vis absorption titration and NMR titrations of Zn–PDB and Zn–PMB upon addition of the above‐mentioned guests suggested that the Glu residue of GSH was positioned within the cavity. The COO⁻ groups interacted with metal ions through static interactions. The Cys moiety of GSH interacted with the amide groups sited in host molecules through hydrogen‐bonding interactions to produce measurable spectral changes. Fluorescent titrations of Zn–PMB upon the addition of GSH and ESI‐MS investigations of the titration solutions confirmed the host–guest interaction modes and revealed the possible 1:1 complexation stoichiometry. These results showed that the recognition of a substrate within the cavity of functionalized metal–organic cage‐like receptors could be a useful method to produce supramolecular sensors for biomolecules.