Synthesis of N-(2-hydroxy-1-phenoxyacetyl) prolyproline

Ionophores consist of molecules which surround and carry positive metal ions and other ions through biological membranes. One classe of ionophores which we have been developing contains dipeptides which are encouraged to become part of a ring because of possible hydrogen bond formation between the 2-hydroxy on the phenyl group and carboxyl group (COOH) of the final amide proline. Formation of a ring should increase the complexation ability of the ionophore. We report that the synthesis of N-(2-hydroxyl-1-phenoxyacetyl) prolyproline(1), a novel ionophore is prepared from activated 2-acetoxy phenoxyacetic acid (3a) and the appropriate dipeptide ester using coupling methods such as dicyclohexyl carbodiimide with hydroxyben-ztriazole or carbonyl diimidazole.