Chemistry Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The N-alkylated indanylidenepyrroline (NAIP) Schiff base 3 is an unnatural a-amino acid precursor potentially useful for the preparation of semisynthetic peptides and proteins incorporating charged side chains whose structure can be modulated via Z/E photoisomerization. Here we report that the heteroallylic protons of 3 led to partial loss of ethanol accompanied by formation of the novel heterocyclic system 4 during attempted deprotection. We also show that the same protons catalyze the thermal isomerization of 3, making the light-driven conformational control concept ineffective for times longer than a few hours. These problems are not present in the previously unreported compound 5 where the acidic methyl group is replaced by an H atom. Therefore, 5, rather than 3, constitutes a promising prototype for the design of building blocks capable to modulate the electrostatic potential of a protein in specific locations via light irradiation.

Publication Date

2-2012

Publication Title

Journal Of Organic Chemistry

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1021/jo2022263

Start Page No.

1738

End Page No.

1748

Included in

Chemistry Commons

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