Editing Cyclodextrin (section)

== Structure ==
[[Image:Gamma CD cone shape.jpg|thumb|right|150px|γ-CD toroid structure showing spatial arrangement.]]

Typical cyclodextrins are constituted by 6-8 glucopyranoside units. These subunits are linked by 1,4 [[glycosidic bond]]s. The cyclodextrins have toroidal shapes, with the larger and the smaller openings of the toroid exposing to the solvent [[Alcohol (chemistry)#Systematic names|secondary and primary hydroxyl groups]] respectively. Because of this arrangement, the interior of the toroids is considerably less hydrophilic than the aqueous environment and thus able to host hydrophobic molecules. In contrast, the exterior is sufficiently [[hydrophilic]] to impart cyclodextrins (or their complexes) water solubility.  They are not soluble in typical organic solvents.