In:
ChemMedChem, Wiley, Vol. 14, No. 12 ( 2019-06-18), p. 1196-1203
Abstract:
Exploiting the redox sensitivity of disulfide bonds is a prevalent strategy in targeted prodrug designs. In contrast to aliphatic disulfides, p ‐thiobenzyl‐based disulfides have rarely been used for prodrug designs, given their intrinsic instability caused by the low p K a of aromatic thiols. Here, we examined the interplay between steric hindrance and the low‐p K a effect on thiol–disulfide exchange reactions and uncovered a new thiol–disulfide exchange process for the self‐immolation of p ‐thiobenzyl‐based disulfides. We observed a central leaving group shifting effect in the α,α‐dimethyl‐substituted p ‐dithiobenzyl urethane linkers (DMTB linkers), which leads to increased disulfide stability by more than two orders of magnitude, an extent that is significantly greater than that observed with typical aliphatic disulfides. In particular, the DMTB linkers display not only high stability, but also rapid self‐immolation kinetics due to the low p K a of the aromatic thiol, which can be used as a general and robust linkage between targeting reagents and cytotoxic drugs for targeted prodrug designs. The unique and promising stability characteristics of the present DMTB linker will likely inspire the development of novel targeted prodrugs to achieve traceless release of drugs into cells.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1860-7179
,
1860-7187
DOI:
10.1002/cmdc.201900248
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2019
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2209649-8
SSG:
15,3
