Precise Tuning of Cationic Cyclophanes toward Highly Selective Fluorogenic Recognition of Specific Biophosphate Anions

Cationic cyclophanes with bridging and spacer groups possess well-organized semirigid cavities and are able to encapsulate and stabilize anionic species through diverse molecular interactions. We highlight the precise tuning of functionalized cyclophanes toward selective recognition of AMP, GTP, and pyrophosphate (PPi) using fluorescence, NMR spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT)

Selective Fluorescent Detection of RNA in Living Cells by Using Imidazolium-Based Cyclophane

A water-soluble imidazolium-based fluorescent chemosensor senses RNA selectively through fluorescence enhancement over other biologically relevant biomolecules in aqueous solution at physiological pH 7.4. Fluorescence image detection of RNA in living cells such as onion cells, HeLa cells, and animal model cells was successfully demonstrated which displays a chelation-enhanced fluorescence effect. These affinities can be attributed to the strong electrostatic (C–H)⁺···A^– ionic H-bonding and the aromatic moiety driven π-stacking of imidazolium-based cyclophane with the size-complementary major groove of RNA