Synthesis and conformational properties of 2,6-bis-anilino-3-nitropyridines.

The synthesis of 2,6-bis-anilino-3-nitropyridines that are alkylated or acylated at the anilino nitrogen atoms is described. These derivatives show characteristic differences in the 1H-NMR spectra compared with the unsubstituted parent compound. These differences are used to determine structure-conformation relationships of this type of compounds. The conclusions drawn from the 1H-NMR spectra in this respect are supported by X-ray crystallographic data and by 1H-NMR data of conformationally restricted analogues. Preliminary investigations indicate that these relationships can in principle be extended to other diarylamines.

Online monitoring of solid-phase peptide syntheses on glass-type surfaces using white light interference.

Label-free optical detection methods are of particular value for the investigation of biomolecular interactions. A label-free method based on reflectometric interference spectroscopy is described which enables both the on-line monitoring of solid phase peptide syntheses and subsequently the determination of antibody binding to these peptides without cleavage from the support. The method uses SiO(2) transducers that were modified with diaminopolyethylene glycol. The stepwise coupling of different amino acids to the transducer surface was investigated and the complete monitoring of the synthesis of a viral epitope was performed. The success of the synthesis was proven via binding of a specific monoclonal antibody to the transducer-bound product. In order to demonstrate specificity the binding was inhibited with the same peptide epitope added in solution. The approach is attractive especially in the field of high throughput screening since both the synthesis and the interaction with the biological receptor can be monitored using the same technique.

Non-nucleoside inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase: discovery and preliminary SAR of benzimidazole derivatives.

Benzimidazole 5-carboxamide derivatives from a combinatorial screening library were discovered as specific inhibitors of the NS5B polymerase of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Initial hit-to-lead activities taking advantage of high-throughput parallel synthetic techniques, identified a 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole 5-carboxylic acid scaffold as the minimum core for biological activity. Potent analogues in this series inhibit the polymerase at low micromolar concentrations and provide an attractive "drug-like" lead structure for further optimization and the development of potential HCV therapeutics.