Molecular recognition of ω-amino acids by thiazolobenzocrown receptors: a GABA-selective ionophore.

Three new thiazolobenzocrown (TBC) ethers conjugated with picolinic acid, benzoic acid and pyridylmethyl were synthesised and their binding properties towards amino acids were assessed by1H NMR titration and isothermal titration calorimety (ITC). The TBC-picolinic acid conjugate (4) showed a pronounced selectivity towards GABA by the1H NMR titration, and the association constant for GABA had the largest value determined by ITC. The association constant of4for GABA was about 19 times higher than that of glycine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]