Differentiating inclusion complexes from host molecules by tapping-mode atomic force microscopy.

Tapping-mode atomic force microscopy imaging under different cantilever vibration amplitudes has been used to differentiate the host beta-cyclodextrin nanotubes from retinal/beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex nanotubes. It was observed that both compounds were deformed differently by the applied probe force because of their different local rigidity. This change in the elasticity properties can be explained as a consequence of the inclusion process. This method shows that tapping-mode atomic force microscopy is an useful tool to map soft sample elasticity properties and to distinguish inclusion complexes from their host molecules on the basis of their different mechanical response.

Analytical applications of retinoid-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. 1. Characterization of a retinal-beta-cyclodextrin complex.

In studies in these laboratories on the supramolecular chemistry of the retinoids, it has been recently confirmed that inclusion of these substances within the cavity of cyclodextrins protects their excited states, thus improving their photochemical stability. In the present paper, the isolation is described of a crystalline stable complex between retinal and beta-cyclodextrin, which has been characterized by means of several techniques including atomic force microscopy (AFM). The complex shows distinct spectroscopic differences from both retinal and beta-cyclodextrin. Thus, it absorbs at lambda(max) = 380 nm in water whereas retinal is insoluble; it shows room-temperature luminescence, which retinal does not; finally, it give 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectra in d6-DMSO with clear differences in chemical shifts with respect to those of beta-cyclodextrin. Besides these studies in solution, the behaviour of the complex in the solid state has been compared with that of physical mixtures of retinal and beta-cyclodextrin. IR spectroscopy shows clear differences, particularly a shift in the retinal carbonyl absorption (1644-1672 cm-1). AFM studies reveal the existence of aggregates; X-ray diffractometry also supports the formation of a cyclodextrin-retinal complex.