MOLECULAR RECOGNITION IN THE GAS-PHASE

Several examples of molecular recognition taking place entirely in the gas-phase are demonstrated for the first time. Experiments involve highly selective host-guests complexations occuring between neutral counterparts inside the ion source of a mass spectrometer, where two cavitands are vaporized simultaneously in a gas-phase containing two candidate guests and an excess of methane. The relative gas-phase complexation constants are measured. The unique characteristic of this investigation method is that supramolecular interactions between specific functional groups of hosts and guests are made free from the solvation effects.