Synthesis of a non-heme template for attaching four peptides: an approach to artificial iron(II)-containing...

We are developing all-synthetic model cofactor-protein complexes in order to define the parameters controlling non-natural cofactor activity. The long-term objective is to establish the theoretical and practical basis for designing novel enzymes. A non-heme pentadentate ligand (N4Py) is being developed as a template for the site-specific attachment of a designed four-helix bundle. Previously, we attached two unprotected peptides via CH(2)Cl handles to N4Py. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, the iron(II) complex of this ligand (2a) generates an Fe(III)OOH intermediate (3a) that can oxidize a wide variety of organic compounds. Here, we describe the synthesis of 27, a N4Py derivative in which four three-carbon spacers have been introduced, and show that four copies of an unprotected, single-cysteine peptide can be coupled via a thioether linkage to the ligand. In addition, a divergent synthesis route to tetrabromide ligand 1b has also been developed, providing the opportunity to prepare alternative pentadentate ligands efficiently by four cross-coupling reactions on a single molecule. Also, two of the four bromides of 1b can be selectively addressed by magnesium-bromide exchange.