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Measuring glycosidase activity is important to monitor any aberrations in carbohydrate hydrolase activity, but also for the screening of potential glycosidase inhibitors. To this end, synthetic substrates are needed which provide an enzyme‐dependent read‐out upon hydrolysis by the glycosidase. Herein, we present two new routes for the synthesis of caged luminescent carbohydrates, which can be used for determining glycosidase activity with a luminescent reporter molecule. The substrates were validated with glycosidase and revealed a clear linear range and enzyme‐dependent signal upon the in situ generation of the luciferin moiety from the corresponding nitrile precursors. Besides, we showed that these compounds could directly be synthesized from unprotected glycosyl‐α‐fluorides in a two‐step procedure with yields up to 75 %. The intermediate methyl imidate appeared a key intermediate which also reacted with d‐cysteine to give the corresponding d‐luciferin substrate rendering this a highly attractive method for synthesizing glycosyl luciferins in good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The click reaction between a functionalized trans‐cyclooctene (TCO) and a tetrazine (Tz) is a compelling method for bioorthogonal conjugation in combination with payload releasing capabilities. However, the synthesis of difunctionalized TCOs remains challenging. As a result, these compounds are poorly accessible, which impedes the development of novel applications. In this work, the scalable and accessible synthesis of a new bioorthogonal difunctionalized TCO is reported in only four single selective high yielding steps starting from commercially available compounds. The TCO‐Tz click reaction was assessed and revealed excellent kinetic rates and subsequently payload release was shown with various functionalized derivatives. Tetrazine triggered release of carbonate and carbamate payloads was demonstrated up to 100 % release efficiency and local drug release was shown in a cellular toxicity study which revealed a >20‐fold increase in cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A revised modular approach to various synthetic (–)‐trans‐Δ8‐THC derivatives through late‐stage Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions is disclosed. Ten derivatives were synthesized allowing both sp2‐ and sp3‐hybridized cross‐coupling partners with minimal β‐hydride elimination. Importantly, we demonstrate that a para‐bromo‐substituted THC scaffold for Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions has been initially reported incorrectly in recent literature. A revised modular approach to various synthetic (–)‐trans‐Δ8‐THC derivatives is disclosed. Ten derivatives were sythesized using both sp2‐ and sp3‐hybridized fragment couplings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019 millions of infections have been reported globally. The viral chymotrypsin-like main protease (M Pro ) exhibits a crucial role in viral replication and represents a relevant target for antiviral drug development. In order to screen potential M Pro inhibitors we developed a luminescent assay using a peptide based probe containing a cleavage site specific for M Pro . This assay was validated showing IC 50 values similar to those reported in the literature for known M Pro inhibitors and can be used to screen new inhibitors., (© 2022 The Authors. ChemBioChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)