Indole Resin: A Versatile New Support for the Solid-Phase Synthesis of Organic Molecules

Solid-Phase Synthesis of Caged Luminescent Peptides via Side Chain Anchoring

The synthesis of caged luminescent peptide substrates remains challenging, especially when libraries of the substrates are required. Most currently available synthetic methods rely on a solution-phase approach, which is less suited for parallel synthesis purposes. We herein present a solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) method for the synthesis of caged aminoluciferin peptides via side chain anchoring of the P1 residue. After the synthesis of a preliminary test library consisting of 40 compounds, the synthetic method was validated and optimized for up to >100 g of resin. Subsequently, two separate larger peptide libraries were synthesized either having a P1 = lysine or arginine residue containing in total 719 novel peptide substrates. The use of a more stable caged nitrile precursor instead of caged aminoluciferin rendered our parallel synthetic approach completely suitable for SPPS and serine protease profiling was demonstrated using late-stage aminoluciferin generation.

A novel glycosylated indolocarbazole derivative LCS1269 effectively inhibits growth of human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo through driving of both apoptosis and senescence by inducing of DNA damage and modulating of AKT/mTOR/S6K and ERK pathways

In recent decades, indolocarbazole glycosides containing sugar moieties have attracted attention due to their diverse anti-tumor activities. In the present study, a series of new indolo [2,3-a]pyrrolo [3,4-c]carbazole derivatives were synthesized for the first time. First of all, we have shown that compound 6e (LCS1269) had the most pronounced effect on inhibiting tumor growth in the transferable solid and non-solid murine tumors as compared with other synthesized indolocarbazole derivatives. The results of the in vivo nude mice xenoraft study also confirmed that LCS1269 treatment strongly suppressed the growth of human colon cancer SW620 xenografts. It is important to note that the antiproliferative activity of LCS1269 against three human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HCT-116 and A549) was considerably higher than that against the non-tumor cell lines (immortalized breast cells and normal embryonic fibroblasts). Furthermore, the treatment of MCF-7, HCT-116 and A549 cells with LCS1269 caused the statistically significant inhibition of anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent colony formation. We further revealed that LCS1269 treatment of investigated human cancer cells resulted in the DNA damage and G2/M cell cycle arrest followed by the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential with subsequent initiation of intrinsic apoptosis and the triggering of senescence via p53-dependent mechanisms. In addition, our western blotting findings and molecular docking data suppose that LCS1269 could at least partially attenuate cancer cells growth by modulation of AKT/mTOR/S6K and ERK signaling pathways. Therefore, we concluded that LCS1269 might be the promising compound for implementation and probable use in the clinical practice.

Design of Y2 Receptor Selective and Proteolytically Stable PYY3-36 Analogues

In recent years peptide YY (PYY) has attracted attention within the area of diabetes and obesity due to its involvement in food intake regulation and glucose homeostasis. It is well-known that PYY_1-36 is rapidly cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 to the more Y₂ receptor selective analogue PYY_3-36, which is further cleaved to the inactive analogue PYY_3-34. In order to improve the selectivity and proteolytic stability of the C-terminus, we synthesized several analogues incorporating N-methyl amino acids or β-homo amino acids and other non-natural amino acids. These were tested against all four NPY receptors, and highly potent and Y₂ receptor selective analogues were identified by combining a tryptophan residue in position 30 with either N-methyl or β-homo arginine in position 35. We also identified an analogue with a MeGln³⁴ substitution that surprisingly displayed high affinity toward all four receptors. In addition, these analogues displayed improved stability toward C-terminal proteolysis compared to native PYY_3-36.

Elucidation of the Binding Mode of the Carboxyterminal Region of Peptide YY to the Human Y2 Receptor

Understanding the agonist-receptor interactions in the neuropeptide Y (NPY)/peptide YY (PYY) signaling system is fundamental for the design of novel modulators of appetite regulation. We report here the results of a multidisciplinary approach to elucidate the binding mode of the native peptide agonist PYY to the human Y₂ receptor, based on computational modeling, peptide chemistry and in vitro pharmacological analyses. The preserved binding orientation proposed for full-length PYY and five analogs, truncated at the amino terminus, explains our pharmacological results where truncations of the N-terminal proline helix showed little effect on peptide affinity. This was followed by receptor mutagenesis to investigate the roles of several receptor positions suggested by the modeling. As a complement, PYY-(3-36) analogs were synthesized with modifications at different positions in the common PYY/NPY C-terminal fragment (³²TRQRY³⁶-amide). The results were assessed and interpreted by molecular dynamics and Free Energy Perturbation (FEP) simulations of selected mutants, providing a detailed map of the interactions of the PYY/NPY C-terminal fragment with the transmembrane cavity of the Y₂ receptor. The amidated C-terminus would be stabilized by polar interactions with Gln288^6.55 and Tyr219^5.39, while Gln130^3.32 contributes to interactions with Q³⁴ in the peptide and T³² is close to the tip of TM7 in the receptor. This leaves the core, α-helix of the peptide exposed to make potential interactions with the extracellular loops. This model agrees with most experimental data available for the Y₂ system and can be used as a basis for optimization of Y₂ receptor agonists.

Thirteen decades of peptide synthesis: key developments in solid phase peptide synthesis and amide bond formation utilized in peptide ligation

A historical overview of peptide chemistry from T. Curtius to E. Fischer to M. Bergmann and L. Zervas is first presented. Next, the fundamentals of peptide synthesis with a focus on solid phase peptide synthesis by R. B. Merrifield are described. Immobilization strategies to attach the first amino acid to the resin, coupling strategies in stepwise peptide chain elongation, and approaches to synthesize difficult peptide sequences are also shown. A brief comparison between tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc)/benzyl (Bzl) strategy and 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc)/tert-butyl (t -Bu) strategy utilized in solid phase peptide synthesis is given with an emphasis on the latter. Finally, the review focuses on the discovery and development of peptide ligation and the latest advances in this field including native amide bond formation strategies, these include the native chemical ligation, α-ketoacid-hydroxylamine ligation, and serine/threonine ligation which are the most commonly used chemoselective ligation methods that provide amide bond at the ligation site. This review provides an overview of the literature concerning the most important advances in the chemical synthesis of proteins and peptides covering the period from 1882 to 2017.

Heterogeneous Phase Transfer Catalysis in Solid Phase Syntheses of Anth-Cyclic Tetrapeptides

This study features solid phase syntheses of cyclic tetrapeptides containing anthranilic acid (Anth) on relatively inexpensive resins derived from polystyrene. It proved to be difficult to hydrolyze a supported Anth-methyl ester unless a phase transfer catalyst was added to facilitate transport of hydroxide into the swollen hydrophobic gel state of the resin. We suggest this may be an under-appreciated strategy for improving syntheses on polystyrene supports.

Microwave assisted solid-phase synthesis of substituted tetraazaporphyrins and a phthalocyanine-peptide conjugate

Various asymmetrically substituted phthalocyanines (Pcs) and porphyrazines (Pzs) have been synthesized in good yields using a solid-phase synthesis method with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) resin attached to an indole linker as the solid support. These compounds are formed by cross condensation of maleonitrile or phthalonitrile with another phthalonitrile covalently bonded to the solid support with an amino linking group. The polymer bound Pc or Pz is separated by filtration, and washing the symmetrical Pc or Pz by-product. The amine Pc -appended to polyethylene glycol resin is further reacted to yield azide whilst still on the solid support. Cleavage of the Pc or Pz off the solid support results in 3:1 asymmetric Pz or Pz with high degree of purity, requiring minimal further purification. The use of hydrophilic PEG-based resin allows the symmetrical compound to be removed completely by washing whereas the acid labile indole linker makes it easier to cleave the product under mild conditions. The conjugation abilities of these compounds have been demonstrated by the successful conjugation of one of the azide Pcs with a peptide elaborated with an alkyne function. Use of microwave for the synthesis of these compounds results in shorter reaction times, higher yields and higher degree of purity.

1,2-Dimethylindole-3-sulfonyl (MIS) as protecting group for the side chain of arginine

The protection of arginine (Arg) side chains is a crucial issue in peptide chemistry because of the propensity of the basic guanidinium group to produce side reactions. Currently, sulfonyl-type protecting groups, such as 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman (Pmc) and 2,2,4,6,7-pentamethyldihydrobenzofurane (Pbf), are the most widely used for this purpose. Nevertheless, Arg side chain protection remains problematic as a result of the acid stability of these two compounds. This issue is even more relevant in Arg-rich sequences, acid-sensitive peptides and large-scale syntheses. The 1,2-dimethylindole-3-sulfonyl (MIS) group is more acid-labile than Pmc and Pbf and can therefore be a better option for Arg side chain protection. In addition, MIS is compatible with tryptophan-containing peptides.

EDOTn and MIM, new peptide backbone protecting groups

In recent years, backbone protection has allowed the synthesis of complex peptidic sequences of high interest by preventing chain aggregation and aspartimides formation. Nevertheless, the backbone protectors currently used have some drawbacks: they are difficult to remove and show high steric hindrance. The new backbone protectors presented in this study (EDOTn and MIM) represent an improvement in both aspects.

Carbocations in action. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of a highly acid-sensitive naphthalene-based backbone amide linker for solid-phase synthesis

The design, synthesis, and properties of an extremely acid-labile backbone amide linker based on a regiospecifically substituted tetraalkoxy naphthaldehyde core are presented. This handle enables cleavage of peptide backbone amides (secondary amides) off a solid support using as little as 0.5% TFA in CH2Cl2. This proceeds without cleavage of tert-butyl ethers and tert-butyl esters. The design is based on a DFT study that predicted the most stabile alkoxy-substituted methyl naphthyl carbocation. [structure: see text]

Collisionally activated dissociation and electron capture dissociation of several mass spectrometry-identifiable chemical cross-linkers

One of the challenges in protein interaction studies with chemical cross-linking stems from the complexity of intra-, inter-, and dead-end cross-linked peptide mixtures. We have developed new cross-linkers to study protein-protein interactions with mass spectrometry to improve the ability to deal with this complexity. Even the accurate mass capabilities of FTICR-MS alone cannot unambiguously identify cross-linked peptides from cell-labeling experiments due to the complexity of these mixtures resultant from the enormous number of possible cross-linked species. We have developed novel cross-linkers that have unique fragmentation features in the gas phase. The characteristics of these cross-linkers combined with the accurate mass capability of FTICR-MS can help distinguish cross-linking reaction products and assign protein identities. These cross-linkers that we call protein interaction reporters (PIRs) have been constructed with two reactive groups attached through two bonds that can be preferentially cleaved by low-energy CID of the respective protonated precursor ions. After cleavage of the labile bonds, the middle part of the linker serves as a reporter ion to aid identification of cross-linked peptides. This report highlights three new PIRs with new features that have been developed to improve the efficiency of release of reporter ions. The new cross-linkers reported here were tuned with the addition of an affinity tag, a hydrophilic group, a photocleavable group, and new low-energy MS/MS cleavable bonds. This report presents our investigation of the MSMS fragmentation behavior of selected protonated ions of the new compounds. The comprehensive fragmentation of these PIRs and PIR-labeled cross-linked peptides with low-energy collisions and an example of electron capture dissociation in FTICR-MS is presented. These new cross-linkers will contribute to current systems biology research by allowing acquisition of global or large-scale data on protein-protein interactions.

An improved aldehyde linker for the solid phase synthesis of hindered amides

A novel aldehyde dual-linker system has been developed for the solid phase synthesis of sterically hindered amides. The linker [5-(4-formyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy)pentanoic acid] exploits an intramolecular oxygen-nitrogen acyl transfer mechanism to prepare compounds that are unattainable with current commercially available linkers. A dual linker system, exploiting the hyper-acid labile Sieber amide linker as part of the construct, enabled the initial reductive alkylation reactions of hindered amines and their subsequent acylation with a range of carboxylic acids with varying stereoelectronic properties to be monitored. Simple acylation conditions (HBTU/HOBt/NMM) sufficed to provide near quantitative reaction of test acids with support-bound hindered amines, reaction conditions which failed when commercial linkers were used.

Synthesis of polymer-bound 4-acetoxy-3-phenylbenzaldehyde derivatives: applications in solid-phase organic synthesis

Aminomethyl polystyrene resin was reacted with 4-(5'-formyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoic acid and 4-(5'-formyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)phenyl propionic acid, respectively, in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole and 1,3-diisopropylcarbodiimide to yield polymer-bound benzaldehydes. The phenolic group in resins was acetylated with acetic anhydride to afford two polymer-bound 4-acetoxybenzaldehydes. The reductive amination of polymer-bound linkers by amines and sodium triacetoxyborohydride, followed by sulfonylation with arylsulfonyl chloride derivatives in the presence of pyridine and the cleavage with TFA/DCM/H2O, produced pure sulfonamides.

Thiophene Backbone Amide Linkers, a New Class of Easily Prepared and Highly Acid-Labile Linkers for Solid-Phase Synthesis

Solid-phase synthesis is of tremendous importance for small-molecule and biopolymer synthesis. Linkers (handles) that release amide-containing products after completion of solid-phase synthesis are widely used. Here we present a new class of highly acid-labile backbone amide linkers (BAL handles) based on 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), which we have termed T-BAL. These thiophene linkers are synthesized in three convenient steps from commercially available EDOT. In the linker design, the spacer was introduced to the EDOT core either via a carbon-carbon bond or via a thioether linkage. Introduction of the spacer via a C-C bond was performed by a chemoselective Negishi coupling without transient protection of the aldehyde group to provide the T-BAL1 handle. Introduction via a thioether linkage was performed by a facile nucleophilic aromatic substitution between the brominated EDOT aldehyde and unprotected mercapto acids to provide T-BAL2 and T-BAL3 handles. The minimal use of protecting groups gave the corresponding linker molecules in few synthetic steps and in good yields. After anchoring of the linker to a polymeric support, introduction of the first amino acid was achieved by reductive amination, giving a secondary amine. A following acylation of the secondary amine with a symmetrical amino acid anhydride resulted in a backbone amide linkage between the handle and the growing substrate (e.g., peptide chain). After solid-phase synthesis, the substrates could be released from the resin by either low acid conditions using 1% TFA in CH2Cl2 or high acid conditions such as 50% TFA in CH2Cl2. Peptide thioesters could be released from the T-BAL1 handle under very mild conditions using aqueous acetic acid. Tert-butyl based protecting groups, tert-butyl esters, tert-butyl ethers, and Boc groups, as well as dimethyl acetals were relatively stable to these mild conditions for release of the peptides.

Parallel Synthesis and Biological Screening of Dopamine Receptor Ligands Taking Advantage of a Click Chemistry Based BAL Linker

The click-chemistry-derived formyl indolyl methyl triazole (FIMT) resin 1a was evaluated for the parallel solid-phase synthesis of a series of BP-897-type arylcarboxamides. By application of a five-step sequence (including loading by reductive amination, subsequent amide coupling, deprotection, palladium-catalyzed N-arylation, and acidic cleavage), a focused library of putative dopamine D3 receptor ligands was constructed. The final products revealed good to excellent purity and were screened for binding at monoaminergic G-protein-coupled receptors when selected library members proved to show excellent binding affinity, especially toward the dopamine D3 receptor subtype.

Novel glycine transporter type-2 reuptake inhibitors. Part 1: alpha-amino acid derivatives

A variety of alpha-amino acid derivatives were prepared as glycine transport inhibitors and their ability to block the uptake of [(14)C]-glycine in COS7 cells transfected with human glycine transporter-2 (hGlyT-2) was evaluated. An array of substituents at the chiral center was studied and overall, L-phenylalanine was identified as the preferred amino acid residue. Compounds prepared from l-amino acids were more potent GlyT-2 inhibitors than analogs derived from the corresponding d-amino acids. Introducing an achiral amino acid such as glycine, or incorporating geminal substitution in the alpha-position, led to a significant reduction in GlyT-2 inhibitory properties.

Role of the peri-effect in synthesis and reactivity of highly substituted naphthaldehydes: a novel backbone amide linker for solid-phase synthesis

Handles (linkers) with an aldehyde functionality that permits the anchoring of substrates by reductive amination have, since their first report in the mid-1990s, become widely-used tools in solid-phase synthesis. In the synthesis of peptides, they allow anchoring of the growing peptide chain through a backbone amide, thus giving easy access to C-terminal modified or cyclic peptides. Recently, we described two new handles (NAL-1 and NAL-2) with dialkoxynaphthaldehyde core structures. Here, we describe the design, synthesis and properties of a novel trialkoxynaphthalene-based backbone amide linker (NAL-3). The NAL-3 handle is based on a trialkoxynaphthaldehyde (NALdehyde-3) that was synthesized in nine high-yielding steps from 3-methoxyphenylacetic acid in 51% overall yield. The naphthalene ring system was constructed using a regioselective methanesulfonic acid-catalyzed ring-closing reaction. The tetra-substituted naphthalene derivative 1,3,6-trimethoxynaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde (7) was selectively demethylated in the 1 position using BBr(3). The selectivity of this reaction is discussed, based on the crystal structures of reactant and product, 1-hydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-naphthalene-2-carbaldehyde (8), and in the context of the peri-effect. The new handle was anchored to an aminomethylated poly(styrene) solid support, followed by assembly of a model dipeptide, then a study of the cleavage properties under acidic conditions was carried out. Surprisingly, the trialkoxynaphthaldehyde-based handle proved less acid-labile than the dialkoxynaphthaldehyde handles, and this fact is discussed with respect to handle design.

Synthesis, liposomal formulation and thermal effects on phospholipid bilayers of leuprolide

A novel liposomal formulation was developed for the encapsulation of the oligopeptide leuprolide (GlpHisTrpSerTyr-D-LeuLeuArgProNHEt), a potent analogue of gonadotropin releasing hormone used in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis and precocious puberty. Leuprolide was synthesized using solid phase methodology on a {3-[(ethyl-Fmoc-amino)-methyl]-1-indol-1-yl}-acetyl AM resin and Fmoc/tBu chemistry. The new liposomal formulation, called 'liposomes in liposomes' is composed of egg phosphatidylcholine:dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol in a molar ratio of 98.91:1.09 (internal liposomes) and egg phosphatidylcholine:dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol:cholesterol in a molar ratio of 68.71:0.76:30.53 (external liposomes). It offers high encapsulation efficiency (73.8% for leuprolide); it can provide new delivery characteristics and it may have possible advantages in future applications regarding the encapsulation and delivery of bioactive peptides to target tissues. Furthermore, the physicochemical characteristics (size distribution and zeta-potential) of the liposomal formulations and the thermal effects on leuprolide in model lipidic bilayers composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, the dynamic effects of leuprolide in an egg phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol system were examined using solid state 13C MAS NMR spectroscopy.

Two Dialkoxynaphthalene Aldehydes as Backbone Amide Linkers for Solid-Phase Synthesis

Two new solid-phase handles for backbone amide anchoring based on regioisomeric dialkoxynaphthalene aldehydes (NALdehydes) were synthesized in five convenient steps from the corresponding commercially available dihydroxynaphthalenes. The two NALdehydes were coupled to an aminomethyl polystyrene support, the first monomer attached by efficient reductive amination, and the secondary amine acylated to form naphthalene amide linker (NAL-1 and NAL-2) anchoring. After on-resin synthesis, release of peptides was effected with TFA/H(2)O (95:5), TFA/DCM (50:50), or low TFA concentrations. The properties of the NAL handles were evaluated in the solid-phase synthesis of a series of peptides, in which NAL-2 showed the best cleavage properties.

Development of an Indole Safety-Catch Linker Using Analytical Constructs

The development, evaluation, and application of a novel safety-catch linker for solid-phase synthesis based on an N-tosylindole is reported. The development of this linker using analytical constructs to aid analysis is discussed.

Click linker: efficient and high-yielding synthesis of a new family of SPOS resins by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

[reaction: see text] Highly efficient methodology for the construction of functionalized resins was presented involving 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition as the key reaction step. On the basis of this concept, the first series of click backbone amide linkers were synthesized and the application of the FIMT resin 3f to the parallel synthesis of putative dopaminergic agents was demonstrated leading to the selective receptor ligands 10i and 10s revealing high affinity to the D4 subtype.

An unnatural amino acid that induces beta-sheet folding and interaction in peptides

This paper introduces a unique amino acid that can readily be incorporated into peptides to make them fold into beta-sheetlike structures that dimerize through beta-sheet interactions. This new amino acid, Orn(i-PrCO-Hao), consists of an ornithine residue with the beta-strand-mimicking amino acid Hao [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 7654-7661] attached to its side chain. When Orn(i-PrCO-Hao) is incorporated into a peptide, or appended to its N-terminus, the Hao group hydrogen bonds to the three subsequent residues to form a beta-sheetlike structure. The amino acid Orn(i-PrCO-Hao) is readily used in peptide synthesis as its Fmoc derivative, Fmoc-Orn(i-PrCO-Hao)-OH (3). Fmoc-Orn(i-PrCO-Hao)-OH behaves like a regular amino acid in peptide synthesis and was uneventfully incorporated into the peptide o-anisoyl-Val-Orn(i-PrCO-Hao)-Phe-Ile-Leu-NHMe (4) through standard automated Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis, with DIC and HOAt as the coupling agent for Fmoc-Orn(i-PrCO-Hao)-OH and o-anisic acid and HATU as the coupling agent for all other couplings. A second synthetic strategy was developed to facilitate the preparation of peptides with N-terminal Orn(i-PrCO-Hao) residues, which avoids the need for the preparation of Fmoc-Orn(i-PrCO-Hao)-OH. In this strategy, Boc-Orn(Fmoc)-OH is used as the penultimate amino acid in the peptide synthesis, and i-PrCO-Hao-OH (2) is used as the final amino acid. N-Terminal Orn(i-PrCO-Hao) peptide H-Orn(i-PrCO-Hao)-Phe-Ile-Leu-NHMe.TFA (5) was prepared in a fashion similar to that for 4, using DIC and HOAt as the coupling agent for i-PrCO-Hao-OH and HATU as the coupling agent for all other couplings. 1H NMR transverse-ROESY, coupling constant, and chemical shift studies establish that peptide 4 forms a dimeric beta-sheetlike structure in CDCl3 solution. The 1H NMR studies also suggest that the ornithine unit adopts a well-defined turn conformation. Analogous 1H NMR studies of peptide 5 indicate that this TFA salt folds but does not dimerize in CD3OD solution. Collectively, these synthetic and spectroscopic studies establish that the amino acid Orn(i-PrCO-Hao) induces beta-sheet structure and interactions in peptides in suitable organic solvents. Unlike the Hao amino acid, which acts as a prosthetic to replace three residues of the peptide strand, the Orn(i-PrCO-Hao) amino acid acts as a splint that helps enforce a beta-sheetlike structure without replacing the residues and their side chains. This feature of Orn(i-PrCO-Hao) is important, because it allows the creation of beta-sheet structure with minimal perturbation of the peptide sequence.

The ortho backbone amide linker (o-BAL) is an easily prepared and highly acid-labile handle for solid-phase synthesis

The tris(alkoxy)benzyl backbone amide linker (BAL) has found widespread application in solid-phase synthesis. The key intermediate for preparation of para BAL (p-BAL) is 2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde; several reports on its synthesis have appeared. However, the ortho analogue of the handle (o-BAL) has successfully been used by us for the synthesis of C-terminal-modified peptides, oligosaccharides, and substituted anilines. Here, we present a new and convenient synthesis of the key intermediate for o-BAL, 4,6-dimethoxy-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, by a highly regioselective demethylation with BBr3, followed by purification through steam distillation. Cleavage studies of Leu-enkephalin anchored to either o-BAL or p-BAL handles revealed that both handles were surprisingly acid-labile and released the peptide with dilute TFA (5% and even 1% TFA in CH2Cl2). This useful property allowed the synthesis of fully protected Leu-enkephalin. The very convenient synthesis of 4,6-dimethoxy-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde combined with the benign properties of the o-BAL handle may make it the preferred regioisomer.

Proton-lithium binding behavior of tris(2-((pyrid-2-ylmethyl)uredio)ethyl)amine

Tris(2-((pyrid-2-ylmethyl)uredio)ethyl)amine (2) and its perchlorate salt, 2.HClO(4), bind with Li+ in nitromethane in a 1:1 fashion. The stability constants of K(Li+) and K(H)(Li+) were found to be 112 +/- 25 and 130 +/- 30 M(-)(1) in CD(3)NO(2), respectively. Formation of the 1:1 complexes were further evidenced by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The slight increase, or at least the same order of magnitude, of K(H)(Li+) compared to K(Li+) points to a remarkable preorganization of the protonated podand in 2.HClO(4), that essentially overcomes the increased Columbic repulsion occurring on complexation to Li+.