Thermodynamics of inclusion complex formation of hydroxypropylated α- and β-cyclodextrins with aminobenzoic acids in water

Calorimetry, densimetry, 1H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy were used to characterize inclusion complex formation of hydroxypropylated α- and β-cyclodextrins with meta- and para-aminobenzoic acids in aqueous solutions at 298.15 K. Formation of more stable inclusion complexes between para-aminobenzoic acid and cyclodextrins was observed. The binding of aminobenzoic acids with hydroxypropyl-α-cyclodextrin was found to be enthalpy-governed owing to the prevalence of van der Waals interactions and possible H-binding. Complex formation of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin with both acids is mainly entropy driven. The increased entropy contribution observed in this case is determined by dehydration of solutes occurring during the revealed deeper insertion of aminobenzoic acids into the cavity of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. By comparing complex formation of aminobenzoic acids with native and substituted cyclodextrins it was found that the availability of hydroxypropyl groups slightly influenced the thermodynamic parameters and did not change the binding mode or driving forces of interaction.