NMR INVESTIGATIONS OF THE CONFORMATION OF NEW CYCLODEXTRIN-BASED AMPHIPHILIC TRANSPORTERS FOR HYDROPHOBIC DRUGS - MOLECULAR LOLLIPOPS

Amphiphilic compounds, obtained by grafting aliphatic acids onto a modified cyclodextrin, have been synthesized and studied by solution NMR. The large chain-length dependence of the NMR spectra in aqueous media is explained by the possible formation of auto-inclusion complexes. This process has been evidenced by extensive NMR experiments and by competition with potential guests. This new class of molecules ("lollipops") provides important information for the optimization of a design for amphiphilic transporters to be included in organized phases such as micelles or liposomes.