Monomethoxytrityl (MMT) as a versatile amino protecting group for complex prodrugs of anticancer compounds sensitive to strong acids, bases and nucleophiles

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)01158-1

Cathepsin B-sensitive maleimidocaproyl-Phe-Lys linker compounds containing acid-sensitive anticancer drugs doxorubicin, mitomycin C and paclitaxel (taxol) attached through a self-immolative p-aminobenzylcarbonyl spacer were prepared using monomethoxytrityl (MMT) as the amino protecting group for Lys. MMT could be removed cleanly and in high yield by dichloroacetic and chloroacetic acids in the presence of anisole with minimal workup.