Polypeptoid polymers: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

Polypeptoids, a class of peptidomimetic polymers, have emerged at the forefront of macromolecular and supramolecular science and engineering as the technological relevance of these polymers continues to be demonstrated. The chemical and structural diversity of polypeptoids have enabled access to and adjustment of a variety of physicochemical and biological properties (eg, solubility, charge characteristics, chain conformation, HLB, thermal processability, degradability, cytotoxicity and immunogenicity). These attributes have made this synthetic polymer platform a potential candidate for various biomedical and biotechnological applications. This review will provide an overview of recent development in synthetic methods to access polypeptoid polymers with well‐defined structures and highlight some of the fundamental physicochemical and biological properties of polypeptoids that are pertinent to the future development of functional materials based on polypeptoids.     

Linking two worlds in polymer chemistry: The influence of block uniformity and dispersity in amphiphilic block copolypeptoids on their self-assembly

The self-assembly of block copolymers has captured the interest of scientists for many decades because it can induce ordered structures and help to imitate complex structures found in nature. In contrast to proteins, nature's most functional hierarchical structures, conventional polymers are disperse in their length distribution. Here, we synthesized hydrophilic and hydrophobic polypeptoids via solid-phase synthesis (uniform) and ring-opening polymerization (disperse). Differential scanning calorimetry measurements showed that the uniform hydrophobic peptoids converge to a maximum of the melting temperature at a much lower chain length than their disperse analogs, showing that not only the chain length but also the dispersity has a considerable impact on the thermal properties of those homopolymers. These homopolymers were then coupled to yield amphiphilic block copolypeptoids. SAXS and AFM measurements confirm that the dispersity plays a major role in microphase separation of these macromolecules, and it appears that uniform hydrophobic blocks form more ordered structures.     

Solid-phase submonomer synthesis of peptoid polymers and their self-assembly into highly-ordered nanosheets

Peptoids are a novel class of biomimetic, non-natural, sequence-specific heteropolymers that resist proteolysis, exhibit potent biological activity, and fold into higher order nanostructures. Structurally similar to peptides, peptoids are poly N-substituted glycines, where the side chains are attached to the nitrogen rather than the alpha-carbon. Their ease of synthesis and structural diversity allows testing of basic design principles to drive de novo design and engineering of new biologically-active and nanostructured materials. Here, a simple manual peptoid synthesis protocol is presented that allows the synthesis of long chain polypeptoids (up to 50mers) in excellent yields. Only basic equipment, simple techniques (e.g. liquid transfer, filtration), and commercially available reagents are required, making peptoids an accessible addition to many researchers' toolkits. The peptoid backbone is grown one monomer at a time via the submonomer method which consists of a two-step monomer addition cycle: acylation and displacement. First, bromoacetic acid activated in situ with N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide acylates a resin-bound secondary amine. Second, nucleophilic displacement of the bromide by a primary amine follows to introduce the side chain. The two-step cycle is iterated until the desired chain length is reached. The coupling efficiency of this two-step cycle routinely exceeds 98% and enables the synthesis of peptoids as long as 50 residues. Highly tunable, precise and chemically diverse sequences are achievable with the submonomer method as hundreds of readily available primary amines can be directly incorporated. Peptoids are emerging as a versatile biomimetic material for nanobioscience research because of their synthetic flexibility, robustness, and ordering at the atomic level. The folding of a single-chain, amphiphilic, information-rich polypeptoid into a highly-ordered nanosheet was recently demonstrated. This peptoid is a 36-mer that consists of only three different commercially available monomers: hydrophobic, cationic and anionic. The hydrophobic phenylethyl side chains are buried in the nanosheet core whereas the ionic amine and carboxyl side chains align on the hydrophilic faces. The peptoid nanosheets serve as a potential platform for membrane mimetics, protein mimetics, device fabrication, and sensors. Methods for peptoid synthesis, sheet formation, and microscopy imaging are described and provide a simple method to enable future peptoid nanosheet designs.     

Multicomponent synthesis of novel amino acid-nucleobase chimeras: a versatile approach to PNA-monomers

This paper describes a multicomponent approach to novel totally protected precursors of PNA-monomers via Ugi 4CC. The obtained bisamides are converted into several partially protected PNA-monomers or derivatives thereof using three different procedures. Methods for hydrolysis are shown to be dependent on the nature of the isocyano component required for Ugi 4CC. Several novel monomers suitable for oligomer synthesis are prepared demonstrating the high versatility of the reaction sequence.     

Isocyanide-based consecutive Bargellini/Ugi reactions: an efficient method for the synthesis of pseudo-peptides containing three amide bonds

Isocyanide-based consecutive Bargellini/Ugi multicomponent reactions as a combinatorial strategy have been developed for the synthesis of new class of pseudo-peptides. Via Bargellini reaction 3-carboxamido-isobutyric acids are prepared using acetone, chloroform, sodium hydroxide, and isocyanides. Then, using Ugi multicomponent reaction strategy, pseudo-peptides containing three amide bonds are synthesized using the Bargellini reaction product, aldehydes, amines, and isocyanides. This is an efficient and eco-friendly approach for easy access to wide variety of structurally diverse, drug-like pseudo-peptides from cheap and readily available precursors in high yields.

     

An efficient one-pot synthesis of polyphenolic amino acids and evaluation of their radical-scavenging activity

A simple and efficient procedure for the synthesis of N-acyl 4-hydroxy, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy and 3,4-dihydroxy phenylglycine amides by a strategy based on the multicomponent Ugi reaction is proposed. Hydroxybenzaldehyde derivatives were reacted with 4-methoxybenzylamine, cyclohexyl isocyanide and benzoic acid or 2-naphthylacetic acid to give Ugi adducts that were treated with trifluoroacetic acid yielding N-acyl hydroxyphenylglycine amides in good yields. The same procedure using as acid component protocatechuic acid or hydrocaffeic acid gave N-catechoyl 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycine amides. The use of N-benzyloxycarbonylglycine as acid component allowed the preparation of a 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycyl dipeptide derivative. Radical-scavenging activity studies of the polyphenolic amino acid derivatives showed a sharp increase in activity with the increase in number of hydroxyl or catechol groups present. Cyclic voltammetry experiments established a correlation between oxidation peak potentials and the radical-scavenging activity.     

Multicomponent reactions in crop protection chemistry

An overview is given of the significance of multicomponent reactions in the synthesis of agrochemicals. The most important applications of multicomponent condensations, such as the Biginelli reaction, Bucherer-Bergs reaction, Hantzsch dihydropyridine synthesis, Kabachnik-Fields reaction, Mannich reaction, Passerini reaction, Petasis reaction, Strecker reaction, Ugi reaction and Willgerodt-Kindler reaction, to the synthesis of herbicidally, fungicidally and insecticidally active compounds are presented. Also the mode of action and biological activity of these multicomponent reaction products are reported.     

A two-step, one-pot synthesis of diverse N-pyruvoyl amino acid derivatives using the Ugi reaction

A 100-member combinatorial library of -ketoamides, which was designed to search potent cysteine protease inhibitors, was generated by a parallel solution-phase synthesis. A two-step one-pot synthesis, in which the Ugi reaction followed by pyridinium dichromate (PDC) oxidation was employed in the same reaction vessel, easily afforded the -ketoamides in a short time.     

A novel method to highly versatile monomeric PNA building blocks by multi component reactions.

A novel approach to monomeric PNA building blocks by a solution phase Ugi multi component reaction (MCR) is described. The reaction is easily performed in 96 well plates. The products precipitate from the reaction solution and are thus obtained in high yields and purity. Those products are not amenable by another multi step synthesis in such a diversity.     

One-pot synthesis and biological evaluation of aspergillamides and analogues

A one-pot total synthesis of aspergillamide and analogues by a solution phase Ugi multi component reaction (MCR) is described. The reaction is easily performed in 96-well plates and offers a facile access to diverse aspergillamide analogue compound libraries. The antibiotic and cytotoxic activity of these compounds is measured. Several of them are more potent than the natural product.     

A two-step, one-pot synthesis of diverse N-pyruvoyl amino acid derivatives using the Ugi reaction

A 100-member combinatorial library of α-ketoamides, which was designed to search potent cysteine protease inhibitors, was generated by a parallel solution-phase synthesis. A two-step one-pot synthesis, in which the Ugi reaction followed by pyridinium dichromate (PDC) oxidation was employed in the same reaction vessel, easily afforded the α-ketoamides in a short time.     

Isosteric exchange of the acylsulfonamide moiety in Abbott's Bcl-XL protein interaction antagonist

A multi-component reaction strategy was used for the fast and efficient synthesis of amide isosteres of known Bcl-2 inhibitors capable of disrupting protein–protein interactions. Ugi reaction and a subsequent nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction provide a versatile path to libraries of compounds similar to Abbott’s acylsulfonamides. Modeling arguments are used to explain the inferior activity of the amide as opposed to the sulfonamide series.     

Synthesis of novel Gn-RH analogues using Ugi-4MCR

An efficient method for the synthesis of some Gn-RH analogues based on Ugi reaction has been developed. Four-component reaction of N- and C-terminus peptides, aromatic aldehydes and isocyanides affords novel Gn-RH analogues derived from triptorelin and gonadorelin. All of the products were purified using preparative HPLC and the structures were assigned according to MALDI-mass spectrometry data.     

Multicomponent synthesis of 4,4-dimethyl sterol analogues and their effect on eukaryotic cells

Most sterols, such as cholesterol and ergosterol, become functional only after the removal of the two methyl groups at C-4 from their biosynthetic precursors. Nevertheless, some findings suggest that 4,4-dimethyl sterols might be involved in specific physiological processes. In this paper we present the synthesis of a collection of analogues of 4,4-dimethyl sterols with a diamide side chain and a preliminary analysis of their in vitro activity on selected biological systems. The key step for the synthesis involves an Ugi condensation, a versatile multicomponent reaction. Some of the new compounds showed antifungal and cytotoxic activity.     

A practical and green approach towards synthesis of dihydropyrimidinones: using heteropoly acids as efficient catalysts

A simple and green chemistry procedure for the synthesis of dihydropyrimidinones using heteropoly acid mediated cyclocondensation reaction is described. This method provides an efficient and much improved modification of the original Biginelli reaction reported in 1893, in terms of high yields, and short reaction times. It has the ability to allow a wide variety of substitutions in all three components.     

Dual-responsive pegylated polypeptoids with tunable cloud point temperatures

A series of pegylated polypeptoids have been readily synthesized by a strategy combining ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and thiol-yne photoaddition. The polypeptoids simultaneously incorporated branched oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) units and thioether bonds in the side-chains. All the polypeptoids are readily soluble in aqueous solution and show reversible thermo-responsive properties. The cloud points (CPs) were demonstrated to be readily tunable in the range of ~25 °C-60 °C by varying the chemical composition, OEG chain length and the degree of polymerization. Attractively, the chemical compositions of the side chains are readily tunable via adjusting the molar ratios of a mixture of thiol terminated OEG molecules, which avoid synthesizing new monomers or copolymerization of different monomers. Further, the oxidation/reduction of thioether groups shows significant influence on the CPs, providing a second stimulus to tune the phase transition behaviors. Considering the biocompatibility and degradability, the dual-responsive polypeptoids are potential candidates for various biomedical or biotechnological applications.     

Chemoenzymatic construction of a four-component Ugi combinatorial library

The chemoenzymatic preparation of a nine-member Ugi condensation library is described. The carboxylic acid and amine precursors are based on 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4-amino-1-butanol, respectively, and have been acylated selectively using a variety of acyl donors catalyzed by porcine pancreatic lipase. The enzyme is selective for the hydroxyl functionalities on both precursors, thereby yielding 3-acyl-butyric acid and 4-amino-1-acyl compounds. These enzymatically generated derivatives were then subjected to a four-component Ugi condensation reaction in the presence of acetaldehyde and methyl isocyanoacetate. Isolated yields of the alpha-(acylamino)amide Ugi products ranged from 72-95%. The inherent chemoselectivity of enzymatic catalysis may play an increasingly important role in expanding the structural diversity that can be achieved by chemical multicomponent condensation reactions.     

O-N intramolecular acyl migration reaction in the development of prodrugs and the synthesis of difficult sequence-containing bioactive peptides

N-Ointramolecular acyl migration in Ser- or Thr-containing peptides is a well-known side reaction in peptide chemistry. It results in the mutual conversion of ester and amide bonds. Our medicinal chemistry study focused on the fact that the O-acyl product can be readily converted to the original N-acyl form under neutral or slightly basic conditions in an aqueous buffer and the liberated ionized amino group enhances the water solubility of O-acyl products. Because of this, we have developed a novel class of "O-N intramolecular acyl migration"-type water-soluble prodrugs of HIV-1 protease inhibitors. These prodrugs released the parent drugs via a simple chemical mechanism with no side reaction. In this study, we applied this strategy to important cancer chemotherapeutic agents, paclitaxel and its derivatives, to develop water-soluble taxoid prodrugs, and found that these prodrugs, 2'-O-isoform of taxoids, showed promising results with higher water solubility and proper kinetics in their parent drug formation by a simple pH-dependent chemical mechanism with O-N intramolecular acyl migration. These results suggest that this strategy would be useful in toxicology and medical economics. After the successful application of O-N intramolecular acyl migration in medicinal chemistry, this concept was recently used in peptide chemistry for the synthesis of "difficult sequence-containing peptides." The strategy was based on hydrophilic O-acyl isopeptide synthesis followed by the O-N intramolecular acyl migration reaction, leading to the desired peptide. In a model study with small, difficult sequence-containing peptides, synthesized "O-acyl isopeptides" not only improved the solubility in various media and efficiently performed the high performance liquid chromatography purification, but also altered the nature of the difficult sequence during SPPS, resulting in the efficient synthesis of O-acyl isopeptides with no complications. The subsequent O-N intramolecular acyl migration of purified O-acyl isopeptides afforded the desired peptides as precipitates with high yield and purity. Further study of the synthesis of a larger difficult sequence-containing peptide, Alzheimer's disease-related peptide (A beta 1-42), surprisingly showed that only one insertion of the O-acyl group drastically improved the unfavorable nature of the difficult sequence in A beta 1-42, and achieved efficient synthesis of 26-O-acyl isoA beta 1-42 and subsequent complete conversion to A beta 1-42 via the O-N intramolecular acyl migration reaction of 26-O-acyl isoA beta 1-42. This suggests that our new method based on O-N intramolecular acyl migration is an important method for the synthesis of difficult sequence-containing bioactive peptides.     

A new strategy for the synthesis of cyclopeptides containing diaminoglutaric acid.

A new synthesis of orthogonally protected diaminoglutaric acid containing peptides using the Ugi four component condensation is presented. To demonstrate that this method is useful to replace cystine by diaminoglutaric acid in biologically interesting peptides, we built up two cyclic somatostatin analogues deriving from Sandostatin and from TT-232. A photolytically cleavable amine derivative of the nitroveratryl type is used for the Ugi four component condensation. Because of a racemic build up of the new stereocentre of the diaminoglutaric acid, and racemization of the isonitrile component, four diastereomeric peptides resulted that were separated by HPLC. The stereochemistry of the cyclopeptides could be easily and unambiguously assigned by chiral gas chromatography and a reference sample of enantiomerically pure (2S,4S)-diaminoglutaric acid.