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Synthetic carbohydrate receptors (SCRs) that selectively recognize cell‐surface glycans could be used for detection, drug delivery, or as therapeutics. Here we report the synthesis of seven new C2h symmetric tetrapodal SCRs. The structures of these SCRs possess a conserved biaryl core, and they vary in the four heterocyclic binding groups that are linked to the biaryl core via secondary amines. Supramolecular association between these SCRs and five biologically relevant C1‐O‐octyloxy glycans, α/β‐glucoside (α/β‐Glc), α/β‐mannoside (α/β‐Man), and β‐galactoside (β‐Gal), was studied by mass spectrometry, 1H NMR titrations, and molecular modeling. These studies revealed that selectivity can be achieved in these tetrapodal SCRs by varying the heterocyclic binding group. We found that SCR017 (3‐pyrrole), SCR021 (3‐pyridine), and SCR022 (2‐phenol) bind only to β‐Glc. SCR019 (3‐indole) binds only to β‐Man. SCR020 (2‐pyridine) binds β‐Man and α‐Man with a preference to the latter. SCR018 (2‐indole) binds α‐Man and β‐Gal with a preference to the former. The glycan guests bound within their SCR hosts in one of three supramolecular geometries: center‐parallel, center‐perpendicular, and off‐center. Many host–guest combinations formed higher stoichiometry complexes, 2:1 glycan⋅SCR or 1:2 glycan⋅SCR, where the former are driven by positive allosteric cooperativity induced by glycan–glycan contacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can envelope glycans be targeted to stop viral pandemics? Here we address this question by using molecular dynamics simulations to study the binding between 10 synthetic carbohydrate receptors (SCRs) and the 33 N -glycans most commonly found on the surfaces of enveloped viruses, including Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2. Based on association quotients derived from these simulations, we classified the SCRs as weak binders, promiscuous binders, or selective binders. The SCRs almost exclusively associate at the Man 3 GlcNAc 2 core, which is common to all N -glycans, but the binding affinity between the SCR⋅glycan pair depends on the noncovalent interactions between the heterocycle rings and the glycan antennae. Systematic variations in the glycan and SCR structures reveal relationships that could guide the design of SCRs to attain affinity and selectivity towards a chosen envelope glycan target. With these results, envelope glycans, which are currently considered "undruggable", could become viable targets for new therapeutic strategies. [Display omitted] • Molecular Dynamics simulations show selective binding of synthetic carbohydrate receptors to envelope viral glycans. • The binding affinity depends on the receptor and glycan structure, and the receptors could be classified as weak binders, promiscuous binders, or selective binders. • The proposed binding mechanism could reclassify glycans from ''undruggable'' to viable targets for antivirals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]