Molecular recognition of curcumin (Indian Ayurvedic medicine) by the supramolecular probe, p-t-butyl calix(8)arene

• Curcumin, component of Indian Ayurvedic medicine turmeric, is a drug molecule.
• Supra molecule p-t-butyl calix(8)arene was used as a host molecule and curcumin as a guest molecule.
• Two, stochiometric, host–guest complexes were formed with a stochiometric ratio 1:1 and 4:1.
• The binding constants were determined for the stochiometric, host–guest complexes.

The thermodynamic property of the host–guest complexes formed between the curcumin, component of Indian Ayurvedic medicine turmeric, a drug molecule, with the supra molecule, p-t-butyl calix(8)arene was studied. p-t-Butyl calix(8)arene has been used as a host molecule and curcumin as a guest molecule. Optical absorption spectral studies were carried out to investigate the molecular recognition properties of p-t-butyl calix(8)arene with curcumin. The stochiometry of the host–guest complexes formed and the binding constant were determined. An interesting 1:1 and 4:1 stochiometric host–guest complexes were formed. Job’s continuous method of variation and Benesi–Hildebrand expression were used for the determination of binding constant and the stochiometry of the host–guest complex formed.

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