Structural requirements of antivirally active Bis-macrocycles
| Requirements |
| Molecules require two chelating macrocyclic rings for high activity |
| Distance between metal-binding centers must be 9.5 to 11.5 Å |
| Plane torsion of −60 to 30° and 120 to 140° are allowed |
| Plane angles of 40 to 70° and 110 to 140° are allowed |
| Maximize metal affinity for each macrocyclic ring |
| Optimum ring size for cyclam rings: 14 atoms |
| Features to avoid |
| Plane torsion of 70 to 110° |
| Plane angles 0 to 35° and 160 to 180° |
Adapted from Joao et al. (1995).