Binding of dimethyl 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxylate with α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins in aqueous solution

Fluorescence has been used to investigate the complexes of 2,3-dimethyl naphthalenedicarboxylate with naturally occurring α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins. Emission spectra upon excitation of the naphthoate group show two peaks whose ratio of intensities R is the sensitive to the medium polarity. The change of R with cyclodextrin concentration and temperature allows us to obtain the stoichiometry, the formation constants and the changes of enthalpy and entropy upon inclusion. Complexes show 1:1 stoichiometry. R extrapolated at [CD] → ∞ and the analysis of quenching and polarization measurements, as well as, molecular mechanics calculations in the presence of water, permit us to explain the geometry of the complexes, the possible location of the guest in conformity with thermodynamics parameters and the forces responsible for the complexation.