In this thesis rigid biomimetic receptors based on bisphosphonates were designed and synthesized for the recognition of catecholamines, an important class of hormones and neurotransmitters. The binding properties of these macrocyclic or tweezwers-shaped host molecules in polar solution were examined by 1H NMR titrations. Furthermore, the amphiphilic receptors were embedded in lipid monolayers at the air/water interface and showed strong and selective binding of adrenaline derivatives in this simple membrane model.
