Development of 5-Amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalic Acid Derivatives for Carbamoylation of Amino Acids

ChemistryOpen. 2025 Dec;14(12):e202500174. doi: 10.1002/open.202500174. Epub 2025 Sep 12.

Abstract

Herein, 5-amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalic acid (ATIIPA) is used as a nucleophile to produce the corresponding 1,3-diesters. Two types of 1,3-diesters, i) diethyl 5-amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalate (DEtTIIP) and ii) diacetoxyethyl 5-amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalate (DAcOEtTIIP), are mostly prepared in quantitative yields. The 1,3-esters are tested as a carbamoylation agent toward the amino groups of the βAla esters via isocyanation of the 5-amino group. The addition reaction of DEtTIIP-NCO and βAla-OEt yields DEtTIIP:CO-βAla-OEt, and the 1,3-diethyl ester is highly resistant to alkaline hydrolysis due to the steric shielding by the adjacent 2,4,6-iodines, while the α-ethyl ester of the βAla substructure is easily removed. Alkaline hydrolysis of another adduct, DAcOEtTIIP:CO-βAla-OtBu, removes only the 1,3-acetoxy ethyl groups to form the product DAcOHTIIP:CO-βAla-OtBu, and the acidic fission of the -OtBu ester is quantitative to give DAcOEtTIIP:CO-βAla. These results indicate that the DAcOEtTIIP is a feasible precursor for the N-carbamoylation of the amino acid esters, preserving the freedom for selective ester deprotection, which further inspires the design of contrast molecules using amino acids and peptides.

Keywords: carbamoylation; di(acetoxyethyl) 5‐amino‐2,4,6‐triiodoisophthalate; diethyl 5‐amino‐2,4,6‐triiodoisophthalate; radiopaque material; selective deprotection.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids* / chemistry
  • Esters / chemistry
  • Hydrolysis
  • Molecular Structure
  • Phthalic Acids* / chemical synthesis
  • Phthalic Acids* / chemistry

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Phthalic Acids
  • Esters