Synthetic approaches to produce scaffolds that will act as efficient biosensors have been the subject of considerable research efforts in recent years. The preparation of host complexes which will specifically bind a given guest necessitates structural analysis of the potential complexes formed, as well as an assessment of the strength of the binding interaction. A challenge to the down-stream analytical scientist is to develop a rapid method that can probe the strength of binding, and the architecture of the complex. In this work we apply nano-ESI MS and Drift Tube ion mobility mass spectrometry (DT IM-MS) to examine host guest interactions. We present data on 5 cyclic peptide bis (Zn II -dipicolylamines) which have been systematically designed as potential molecular biosensors for pyrophosphate (PPi). The competition of the macrocycles for PPi compared with other small anions is investigated.Mass spectrometry provides the stoichiometry of the complex, and the proportion of complex preserved into the mass spectrometer correlates with solution phase data. We find the macrocycles have a higher affinity for PPi than for ATP or pyrocatechol violet (PV). The
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