Alkylation patterns and excited state properties of pterins were examined both experimentally and theoretically. 2D NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize the pterin derivatives, revealing undoubtedly that the decyl chains were coupled to either the O4 or N3 sites on the pterin. At a temperature of 70 °C the pterin alkylation regioselectively favored the O4 over the N3. The O4 was also favored when using solvents in which the reactants had increased solubility, namely N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide, rather than solvents in which the reactants had very low solubility (tetrahydrofuran and dichloromethane). Density functional theory (DFT) computed enthalpies correlate to regioselectivity being kinetically driven because the less stable O-isomer forms in higher yield than the more stable N-isomer. Once formed these compounds did not interconvert thermally or undergo a unimolecular “walk” rearrangement. Mechanistic rationale for the factors underlying the alkylation of pterins is suggested, where kinetic rather than thermodynamic factors are key in the higher yield of the O-isomer.

Kinetic control in the alkylation of pterin photosensitizers: Synthetic, photochemical, and theoretical studies

256th National Meeting (2018)

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