Macrocyclic diketopiperazine receptors: effect of macrocyclization on the binding properties of two-armed receptors

The synthesis of macrocyclic two-armed diketopiperazine receptors and their binding properties toward peptides is described. Macrocyclization with short linkers led to receptors with significantly modified binding properties compared to their flexible open chain parent receptors, whereas with long linkers the original binding selectivities were largely retained.     

Tripeptides of the Type H‐D‐Pro‐Pro‐Xaa‐NH2 as Catalysts for Asymmetric 1,4‐Addition Reactions: Structural Requirements for High Catalytic Efficiency

Analysis of the structural and functional requirements within the asymmetric peptidic catalyst H‐D ‐Pro‐Pro‐Asp‐NH₂ led to the development of the closely related peptide H‐D ‐Pro‐Pro‐Glu‐NH₂ as an even more efficient catalyst for asymmetric conjugate addition reactions of aldehydes to nitroolefins. In the presence of as little as 1 mol % of H‐D ‐Pro‐Pro‐Glu‐NH₂, a broad range of aldehydes and nitroolefins react readily with each other. The resulting γ‐nitroaldehydes were obtained in excellent yields and stereoselectivities at room temperature. Within the structure of the peptidic catalysts, the D ‐Pro‐Pro motif is the major contributor to the high stereoselectivities. The C‐terminal amide and the spacer to the carboxylic acid in the side‐chain of the C‐terminal amino acid are responsible for the fine‐tuning of the stereoselectivity. The peptidic catalysts not only allow for highly effective asymmetric catalysis under mild conditions, but also function in the absence of additives.     

Selective binding of two-armed diketopiperazine receptors to side-chain-protected peptides

The binding properties of two-armed receptors based on a diketopiperazine template toward side-chain-protected peptides have been elucidated. Selective binding of these diketopiperazine receptors is not limited to side-chain-free peptides, but combinatorial on-bead assays show that also side-chain-protected peptides are recognized with high specificity. Furthermore, the screening of several dye-marked diketopiperazine receptors against an encoded side-chain-protected tripeptide library demonstrated not only their high binding specificities but also revealed that small structural changes suffice to alter the binding preferences significantly.