The National Science Foundation Division of Chemistry awarded The Ohio State University $546,570 on January 15, 2027, under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) to develop novel cavity-containing molecules for selective sequestration of pharmaceuticals in aqueous media.
The research combines computational and experimental chemistry to engineer polyanionic pillararenes and dendritic molecular baskets capable of stereoselective complexation of therapeutic compounds. The first objective creates pillar[6]arenes with stable planar chirality and nonpolar binding pockets buried within anionic groups, then probes their capacity to include chiral steroids with variable charges and multiple stereogenic centers. Structure-activity relationships will establish design principles for water-soluble hosts that achieve pharmaceutical selectivity. The second objective develops polyanionic dendritic baskets with ultra-deep aromatic pockets complementary to alkaloids, employing binding studies to understand selective inclusion complexation for detection and isolation. The work aims to improve therapeutic efficacy and minimize toxic effects through targeted drug delivery and sequestration, with downstream applications in biotechnology and bioeconomy development.
The award runs through December 31, 2029, with place of performance in Columbus, Ohio. Undergraduate and graduate students will participate in the research alongside collaboration with industrial partners.