diolbinding

Diolbinding refers to the set of interactions by which diols—molecules containing two hydroxyl groups—bind to complementary partners such as metal centers, boron-containing reagents, or hydrogen-bonding networks. In coordination chemistry, diolbinding often occurs when vicinal or geminal diols chelate a metal ion through two lone pairs on adjacent oxygens, forming stable chelate rings and influencing reactivity and structure. In boron chemistry, diolbinding frequently involves boronic acids or esters forming reversible boronate esters with diols, a reaction widely exploited in sensing, chromatography, and materials design.

Binding motifs commonly observed include bidentate chelation to transition metals via two oxygens, and boronate–diol complexes that are sensitive to pH and water activity. These interactions are often reversible and can be tuned by substituents, solvent, and temperature. The strength and geometry of diolbinding depend on the geometry of the diol, the nature of the binding partner, and the surrounding environment.

Applications of diolbinding span sugar sensing and glycan recognition, reversible crosslinking in hydrogel networks, selective capture and release of diol-containing biomolecules, and roles in catalysis and separations where controlled binding is advantageous. Characterization methods include NMR spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and calorimetry. Challenges include competition with water, pH sensitivity of boronate esters, and achieving selectivity among similar diols, given the often dynamic and reversible character of these interactions.