Recent advances in the stereoselective synthesis of distal biaxially chiral molecules

• Fanxing Zhou,
• Chen Zhang,
• Lingyu Sun,
• Yiyun Fang,
• Siming Zheng,
• Lina Hu,
• Mengyang Shen,
• Zhen Zhao,
• Wei Xu,
• Yunqiang Sun and
• Zi-Qiang Rong

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 461–479, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.34

• chemistry [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Axially chiral molecules form stable spatial configurations due to restricted rotation, providing a well-defined chiral environment that is advantageous in molecular recognition [25], stereochemical induction and

Synthesis and anti-cancer activity of naphthalimide–organylselanyl conjugates

• Rajkumar Ravi and
• Selvakumar Karuthapandi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 416–435, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.29

• the reactive surface characteristics of the compounds and highlights the region most likely to engage in molecular recognition processes. Biology In-vitro cytotoxicity study The in vitro anticancer activity of the compounds 7 and 8 was evaluated against the MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer

Electrosynthetic access to unsymmetrical oxaza[8]helicenes with high chiral stability and strong circularly polarized luminescence (CPL)

• Tin Zar Aye,
• Rubal Sharma,
• Muthu Karuppasamy,
• Daiya Suzuki,
• Haruka Nakajima,
• Yoshitane Imai,
• Mitsuhiro Arisawa,
• Mohamed S. H. Salem and
• Shinobu Takizawa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 372–382, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.25

• ], molecular recognition [13], and bioimaging [14]. Yet, most unsubstituted carbo[n]helicenes (n ≥ 5) often display modest fluorescence quantum yields, constraining their utility in emissive technologies [15]. Incorporation of heteroatoms to form hetero[n]helicenes provides an effective means to modulate

Screwing the helical chirality through terminal peri-functionalization

• Devesh Chandra,
• Sachin and
• Upendra Sharma

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 205–212, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.14

• components in organic field effect transistors (OFETs), molecular wires, and chiral conductive materials [19][20][21]. Furthermore, helicenes are widely explored in chiroptical sensing, molecular recognition, and supramolecular self-assembly, enabling the construction of next generation responsive materials

Synthesis and characterization of a isothiouronium-calix[4]arene derivative: self-assembly and anticancer activity

• Giuseppe Granata,
• Loredana Ferreri,
• Claudia Giovanna Leotta,
• Giovanni Mario Pitari and
• Grazia Maria Letizia Consoli

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2535–2541, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.195

• framework, these compounds offer the potential for enhanced therapeutic efficacy through a multivalency effect. Multivalency is a strategy employed by nature to improve selectivity, specificity, and avidity in molecular recognition events responsible for both physiological and pathological processes

Isoorotamide-based peptide nucleic acid nucleobases with extended linkers aimed at distal base recognition of adenosine in double helical RNA

• Grant D. Walby,
• Brandon R. Tessier,
• Tristan L. Mabee,
• Jennah M. Hoke,
• Hallie M. Bleam,
• Angelina Giglio-Tos,
• Emily E. Harding,
• Vladislavs Baskevics,
• Martins Katkevics,
• Eriks Rozners and
• James A. MacKay

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2513–2523, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.193

• acid (RNA) impacts many biological processes; however, the complexities of its many roles are not completely understood. Therefore, designing tools for molecular recognition is of paramount importance. Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) show promise as a tool for selective recognition of double helical

• including regulation and catalysis [1][2][3][4][5][6]. As a result, targeting ncRNA through molecular recognition would afford important tools for molecular biology and biotechnology [7]. One approach focuses on recognition of double-helical regions of RNA (dhRNA) using oligomers called triplex-forming

Conformational effects on iodide binding: a comparative study of flexible and rigid carbazole macrocyclic analogs

• Guang-Wei Zhang,
• Yong Zhang,
• Le Shi,
• Chuang Gao,
• Hong-Yu Li and
• Lei Xue

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2369–2375, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.181

• conformational dynamics, prompting a paradigm shift from static binding models to mechanistic insights into induced fit [17] and conformational selection [18]. This cognitive shift marks the transition of molecular recognition research from a simple description of binding phenomena to a deep understanding at the

• molecular level of the dynamic regulation mechanisms of conformations [19][20]. Although the influence of conformational dynamics on molecular recognition has been paid attention to, there is still a gap in the comparative study of flexible (PBG) and rigid (WDG) structural analogs of the same framework. In

Insoluble methylene-bridged glycoluril dimers as sequestrants for dyes

• Suvenika Perera,
• Peter Y. Zavalij and
• Lyle Isaacs

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2302–2314, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.176

• reactive dyes from textile wastewater streams [27][28][29]. More recently, our group has synthesized water-soluble acyclic cucurbit[n]urils (e.g., M1, Figure 1) and demonstrated that they retain the essential molecular recognition properties of macrocyclic CB[n] [30]. Acyclic CB[n] are more easily

• violet removal efficiency using triphenylene-walled G2W1. Design, synthesis and characterization of G2W1–G2W4 The sequestration of large planar aromatic dyes from aqueous solution into the solid state requires water-insoluble hosts that possess complementary molecular recognition surfaces. Previously, we

Research progress on calixarene/pillararene-based controlled drug release systems

• Liu-Huan Yi,
• Jian Qin,
• Si-Ran Lu,
• Liu-Pan Yang,
• Li-Li Wang and
• Huan Yao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1757–1785, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.139

• , ease of modification, electron-rich and hydrophobic cavities, and highly selective molecular recognition. In recent years, numerous supramolecular drug delivery systems utilizing aromatic macrocycles have been developed. This review article provides an overview of the advancements of controlled drug

• . Supramolecular chemistry, with molecular recognition at its core [17], utilizes non-covalent interactions such as electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding [18], and hydrophobic effects to provide valuable tools for developing new biomaterials and drug delivery systems [18][19][20][21][22]. This article

• neutral environment (pH 7.4), deprotonated WP6 can rebind with the guest molecules. The molecular recognition mechanism of this system is based on the synergistic effect of multiple non-covalent interactions, including electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic interactions, and π–π stacking. Researchers have

3,3'-Linked BINOL macrocycles: optimized synthesis of crown ethers featuring one or two BINOL units

• Somayyeh Kheirjou,
• Jan Riebe,
• Maike Thiele,
• Christoph Wölper and
• Jochen Niemeyer

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1719–1729, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.134

• enantioselective molecular recognition. Different chiral backbones were used for the construction of such chiral crown ethers, especially chiral 1,2-diols such as tartaric acid [5][6][7][8], propane-1,2-diol [9][10][11][12][13], cyclohexane-1,2-diol [14], carbohydrates [15], 1,1'-binapthyl-2,2'-diol (BINOL) [16

• ][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] and more [24]. Especially BINOL-based crown ethers proved to be highly useful and were applied for stereoselective molecular recognition [25][26][27], for catalysis [25][28][29][30][31], as stationary phases for chromatography [32][33][34], but also as building blocks for

Advances in nitrogen-containing helicenes: synthesis, chiroptical properties, and optoelectronic applications

• Meng Qiu,
• Jing Du,
• Nai-Te Yao,
• Xin-Yue Wang and
• Han-Yuan Gong

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1422–1453, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.106

• applications in asymmetric catalysis [1][2], molecular recognition [3], and organic electronics [4][5]. In recent years, the incorporation of heteroatoms – particularly nitrogen – into the helicene backbone, giving rise to so-called "azahelicenes", has emerged as a powerful strategy to modulate electronic

Selective monoformylation of naphthalene-fused propellanes for methylene-alternating copolymers

• Kenichi Kato,
• Tatsuki Hiroi,
• Seina Okada,
• Shunsuke Ohtani and
• Tomoki Ogoshi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1183–1191, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.95

• cages and frameworks [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19], polymers of intrinsic microporosity [20][21][22][23][24], and so forth. Characteristically, they possess molecular-size cavities, which contribute to intricate molecular recognition [25], confined spaces for reactions [26], and small-molecule

Dicarboxylate recognition based on ultracycle hosts through cooperative hydrogen bonding and anion–π interactions

• Wen-Hui Mi,
• Teng-Yu Huang,
• Xu-Dong Wang,
• Yu-Fei Ao,
• Qi-Qiang Wang and
• De-Xian Wang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 884–889, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.72

• Wen-Hui Mi Teng-Yu Huang Xu-Dong Wang Yu-Fei Ao Qi-Qiang Wang De-Xian Wang Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China University of Chinese Academy of

Acyclic cucurbit[n]uril bearing alkyl sulfate ionic groups

• Christian Akakpo,
• Peter Y. Zavalij and
• Lyle Isaacs

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 717–726, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.55

• according to the results of 1H NMR dilution experiments. The molecular recognition behavior of the hosts C1 and M1 toward a panel of seven ammonium ions was explored by 1H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). We find that C1 generally binds slightly more tightly than M1 toward a

• specific guest. C1 binds more tightly to quaternary ammonium guests compared to the corresponding primary ammonium ions. Keywords: cucurbituril; host–guest chemistry; isothermal titration calorimetry; molecular container; X-ray crystallography; Introduction Molecular recognition interactions are key

• supramolecular chemistry involves the synthesis of macrocyclic hosts and studies of their molecular recognition properties. The most widely studied macrocyclic host systems include those created entirely by covalent bonds (crown ethers, cyclodextrins, calixarenes, cyclophanes, pillararenes, cucurbit[n]urils (CB

Binding of tryptophan and tryptophan-containing peptides in water by a glucose naphtho crown ether

• Gianpaolo Gallo and
• Bartosz Lewandowski

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 541–546, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.42

• receptors; molecular recognition; monosaccharides; tryptophan; Introduction Tryptophan plays a crucial role in a variety of biological processes [1][2]. For example, it is critical for electron transfer in proteins [3] and is a key component of several membrane proteins as well as short antimicrobial

Advances in the use of metal-free tetrapyrrolic macrocycles as catalysts

• Mandeep K. Chahal

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3085–3112, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.257

• conformational flexibility, allowing them to adopt four key conformations: 1,3-alternate, cone, partial cone, and 1,2-alternate [1][2]. Calix[4]pyrroles are one of the most studied hosts in supramolecular chemistry, finding use in applications of molecular recognition and extraction, drug delivery, ion transport

• metalloporphyrins that are easily accessible for the incoming substrates, pyrrole –N/NH moieties inside the core of metal-free porphyrins are mostly hidden and unavailable for any kind of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions or molecular recognition as they are 'shielded' by the planar macrocyclic system

• with porphyrins, the direct linkage between their pyrrole units leads to a more contracted cavity compared to that of porphyrins. Similar to calix[4]pyrroles, synthetic metallo- and free-base (metal-free) porphyrins find various applications in the fields of medicine, energy, catalysis, molecular

C–H Trifluoromethylthiolation of aldehyde hydrazones

• Victor Levet,
• Balu Ramesh,
• Congyang Wang and
• Tatiana Besset

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2883–2890, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.242

• Victor Levet Balu Ramesh Congyang Wang Tatiana Besset INSA Rouen Normandie, Univ Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, COBRA UMR 6014, INC3M FR 3038, F-76000 Rouen, France Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences CAS key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function CAS Research

HFIP as a versatile solvent in resorcin[n]arene synthesis

• Hormoz Khosravi,
• Valeria Stevens and
• Raúl Hernández Sánchez

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2469–2475, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.211

• molecular recognition [12][46]. Despite extensive research, challenges remain in the acid-catalyzed resorcin[n]arene synthesis, for example: 1) reaction times for simple resorcin[n]arenes starting from aliphatic aldehydes and resorcinol generally require multiple days and up to a week (Scheme 1a) [9][26]; 2

Novel truxene-based dipyrromethanes (DPMs): synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and photophysical properties

• Shakeel Alvi and
• Rashid Ali

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2163–2170, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.186

• potential applications in the arena of supramolecular chemistry in general, sensing, molecular recognition and self-assembly in particular in has yet to be explored. Moreover, applications of the truxene derivatives in catalysis are also scared, and needs to be advanced in future research. Experimental

Computational toolbox for the analysis of protein–glycan interactions

• Ferran Nieto-Fabregat,
• Maria Pia Lenza,
• Angela Marseglia,
• Cristina Di Carluccio,
• Antonio Molinaro,
• Alba Silipo and
• Roberta Marchetti

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2084–2107, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.180

• determinants that govern specific molecular interactions. Keywords: computational tools; glycan–protein interactions; MD; molecular recognition; Review Introduction Carbohydrates also referred to as saccharides, sugars, or glycans, constitute one of the main building blocks of biomolecules, alongside lipids

Electrophotochemical metal-catalyzed synthesis of alkylnitriles from simple aliphatic carboxylic acids

• Yukang Wang,
• Yan Yao and
• Niankai Fu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1497–1503, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.133

• Yukang Wang Yan Yao Niankai Fu Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China 10.3762/bjoc

Diameter-selective extraction of single-walled carbon nanotubes by interlocking with Cu-tethered square nanobrackets

• Guoqing Cheng and
• Naoki Komatsu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1298–1307, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.113

• complexation between host molecules and SWNTs are strongly related to the molecular structures, making it possible to tune the binding affinity [8]. The host molecules we employed so far for CNT separation through molecular recognition have been developed as “nanotweezers” [9], “nanocalipers” [10] and

Switchable molecular tweezers: design and applications

• Pablo Msellem,
• Maksym Dekthiarenko,
• Nihal Hadj Seyd and
• Guillaume Vives

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 504–539, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.45

• first part will be devoted to chemically responsive tweezers, including stimuli such as pH, metal coordination, and anion binding. Then, redox-active and photochemical tweezers will be presented. Keywords: coordination; molecular recognition; molecular switches; photoswitch; redox; supramolecular

• molecular tweezers has been in molecular recognition with reversible guest binding, we believe that the scope of applications can be significantly broader. Recent examples have demonstrated their potential to regulate biological activity, facilitate transmembrane transport, enable switchable catalysis

Tying a knot between crown ethers and porphyrins

• Maksym Matviyishyn and
• Bartosz Szyszko

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1630–1650, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.120

• by exploiting them for molecular recognition (Figure 16A). The dual nature of hybrids offers promising prospects, with a coordination pocket enabling selective binding of organic molecules such as natural and non-natural amino acids, hormones, neurotransmitters and other biomolecules. In such

Complexes of resorcin[4]arene with secondary amines: synthesis, solvent influence on “in-out” structure, and theoretical calculations of non-covalent interactions

• Waldemar Iwanek

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1525–1536, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.109

• ], amino alcohols [10], and amino acids [11] have been studied due to their potential applications in supramolecular chemistry, drug delivery, and molecular recognition. The complexation of R[4]A with amines is based on the formation of hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy groups of the resorcinol units and

• affinity and selectivity towards specific amines. In addition to their potential applications in sensing and molecular recognition, R[4]A have also been studied for their potential pharmaceutical [13] and biochemical [14] applications. R[4]A typically exhibit complex structures containing over a hundred