Cyclization of peptoids by formation of boronate esters

Introduction of conformational constraints into peptoids (N-substituted oligoglycines) will enable new applications in molecular recognition and self-assembly. Peptoids that contain both phenylboronic acid side chain and vicinal diol cyclize by intramolecular condensation to form boronate esters. A fluorescent indicator of free boronic acid was used to assay esterification. A galactose moiety 2–5 monomer units away from a boronic acid side chain in a peptoid reacts with the boronic acid in competition with the indicator. The intramolecular reaction predominates in each case, with 80–90% of the peptoid cyclized. When the diol is a simple 2,3-dihydroxypropyl group, esterification is less favored but still appreciable.