Directed molecular recognition: furfurylamine appended ditopic receptor for succinic acid

<div><p>A furfurylamine appended ditopic receptor (<b>R1</b>) for dicarboxylic acids has been designed and synthesised. The association constants (<i>K</i>_a) between receptors and dicarboxylic acids have been determined using UV–vis and NMR titration techniques. The binding constant (<i>K</i>_a) of succinic acid with <b>R1</b> was observed maximum, which implies the optimum chain length selectivity for succinic acid. Theoretical calculation and molecular modelling using Gaussian 03 program also support the optimised receptor's cavity for succinic acid.</p>