Stereoselective synthesis of both enantiomers of trans-2-(diphenylmethylideneamino)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid using a chiral pool approach and their incorporation in dipeptides

Locating intercalants within lipid bilayers using fluorescence quenching by bromophospholipids and iodophospholipids

In previous work, we have been able to determine the depth of intercalated molecules within the lipid bilayer using the solvent polarity sensitivity of three spectroscopic techniques: the ¹³C NMR chemical shift (δ); the fluorescence emission wavelength (λ_em), and the ESR β-H splitting constants (a_β-H). In the present paper, we use the quenching by a heavy atom (Br or I), situated at a known location along a phospholipid chain, as a probe of the location of a fluorescent moiety. We have synthesized various phospholipids with bromine (or iodine) atoms substituted at various locations along the lipid chain. The latter halolipids were intercalated in turn with various fluorophores into DMPC liposomes, biomembranes and erythrocyte ghosts. The most effective fluorescence quenching occurs when the heavy atom location corresponds to that of the fluorophore. The results show that generally speaking the fluorophore intercalates the same depth independent of which lipid bilayer is used. KBr (or KI) is the most effective quencher when the fluorophore resides in or at the aqueous phase. Presumably because of iodine's larger radius and spin coupling constant, the iodine analogs are far less discriminating in the depth range it quenches.

A Selective Deprotection Strategy for the Construction of trans-2-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic Acid Derived Peptides

A procedure allowing access to unprecedented tripeptides containing a trans-2-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid residue in their central position has been established. The key features of the strategy are the use of a masked trans-2-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid monomer equivalent for C-terminal coupling and full N-Boc protection of all amide groups until the final step.