We report the synthesis of two new artificial nucleobase scaffolds, 1 and 2, featuring adequate hydrogen bonding donors and acceptors for the molecular recognition of U:A and C:G base pairs, respectively. The tethering of these structures to various amino acids and the assessment of these artificial nucleobaseamino acid conjugates as RNA ligands against a model of HCV IRES Hid domain are also reported. Compound le displayed the highest affinity (K-d twice lower than neomycin - control). Moreover, it appears that this interaction is enthalpically and entropically favored. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.