Supramolecular recognition of A-tracts DNA by calix[4]carbazole

Naturally occurring biomolecules such as transcription factors recognize specific sequences of DNA by binding to its major groove whereas the synthetic sequence-specific major-groove binders are rare. We herein report that a synthetic calix[4]carbazole could serve as the optical ligand of A-tracts (B*-form DNA) by binding to its major-groove, elucidated by UV-vis, fluorescence, CD and NMR titrations. (c) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.