A synthetic host-guest system achieves avidin-biotin affinity by overcoming enthalpy–entropy

The molecular host cucurbit[7]uril forms an extremely stable inclusion complex with the dicationic ferrocene derivative bis(trimethylammoniomethyl)ferrocene in aqueous solution. The equilibrium association constant for this host-guest pair is 3 × 1015 M−1 (Kd = 3 × 10−16 M), equivalent to that exhibited by the avidin–biotin pair&..