What is the Difference Between Clathrates and Cyclodextrin?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The key difference between clathrates and cyclodextrins is that clathrates consist of a lattice that can trap or contain molecules, whereas cyclodextrins are a family of cyclic oligosaccharides that consist of a macrocyclic ring.
Clathrates are chemical substances that form a lattice structure, which can completely envelop guest molecules. They can be divided into two categories: clathrate hydrates and inorganic clathrates. Clathrate hydrates are derived from organic hydrogen-bonded frameworks, and most common clathrate crystal structures can be composed of cavities such as dodecahedral, tetrakaidecahedral, and hexakaidecahedral cavities.
Cyclodextrins, on the other hand, are a family of cyclic oligosaccharides that consist of a macrocyclic ring having glucose units connected by α-1,4 bonds with a β-1,4 branching point. Cyclodextrins have various applications, including:
- Ingredients in many approved medicines such as hydrocortisone, prostaglandin, nitroglycerin, itraconazol, and chloramphenicol.
- Chromatography, where β-cyclodextrin is important in producing a stationary phase for HPLC instruments.
- Encapsulating ethanol to produce alcohol powder and binding fragrances.
Comparative Table: Clathrates vs Cyclodextrin
The main difference between clathrates and cyclodextrins is their structure and composition. Here is a table comparing the two:
Property | Clathrates | Cyclodextrins |
---|---|---|
Definition | Clathrates are chemical compounds that consist of a lattice that can trap or contain molecules. | Cyclodextrins are a family of cyclic oligosaccharides that consist of a macrocyclic ring of sugar molecules. |
Structure | Clathrates have a lattice structure that can completely envelop guest molecules, forming host-guest complexes or inclusion compounds. | Cyclodextrins have a cyclic structure with a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior, forming a cavity that can encapsulate guest molecules. |
Types | Clathrate compounds can be polymeric compounds, and some inorganic polymers like zeolites are also considered clathrate compounds. | Cyclodextrins are derivatives of starch and are produced by enzymatic action on amylose. |
Applications | Clathrates can be used in molecular recognition, gas storage, and separation processes. | Cyclodextrins are used in analytical separation science, materials science, and biomedicine due to their unique hydrophobic-hydrophilic structure. |
In summary, clathrates are chemical compounds with a lattice structure that can trap or contain molecules, while cyclodextrins are a family of cyclic oligosaccharides with a macrocyclic ring structure that can encapsulate guest molecules within their cavity.
- Sucrose vs Cesium Chloride Centrifugation
- Cellulose vs Starch
- Clathrate vs Inclusion Compound
- Calcium Gluconate vs Calcium Chloride
- Coco Glucoside vs Decyl Glucoside
- Dextrose Dextrin vs Dextran
- Calcium Chloride vs Calcium Chloride Dihydrate
- Phylloclade vs Cladode
- Dextrose vs Glucose
- Glycogen vs Starch
- Glucoside vs Glycoside
- Cellobiose vs Cellulose
- Glycosylation vs Glycosidation
- Disaccharide vs Polysaccharide
- Cellulose vs Glycogen vs Glucose
- Dextrose vs Sucrose
- Glucose vs Starch
- Xylitol vs Erythritol
- Glycogen vs Glucose