The chemistry of branched condensed phosphates

Tobias Dürr-Mayer, Danye Qiu, Verena B. Eisenbeis, Nicole Steck, Markus Häner, Alexandre Hofer, Andreas Mayer, Jay S. Siegel, Kim K. Baldridge and Henning J. Jessen ()
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Tobias Dürr-Mayer: Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg
Danye Qiu: Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg
Verena B. Eisenbeis: Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg
Nicole Steck: Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg
Markus Häner: Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg
Alexandre Hofer: University of Cambridge
Andreas Mayer: Université de Lausanne
Jay S. Siegel: Health Science Platform, Tianjin University
Kim K. Baldridge: Health Science Platform, Tianjin University
Henning J. Jessen: Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Condensed phosphates may exist as linear, cyclic or branched structures. Due to their important role in nature, linear polyphosphates have been well studied. In contrast, branched phosphates (ultraphosphates) remain largely uncharacterised, because they were already described in 1950 as exceedingly unstable in the presence of water, epitomized in the antibranching-rule. This rule lacks experimental backup, since, to the best of our knowledge, no rational synthesis of defined ultraphosphates is known. Consequently, detailed studies of their chemical properties, reactivity and potential biological relevance remain elusive. Here, we introduce a general synthesis of monodisperse ultraphosphates. Hydrolysis half-lives up to days call the antibranching-rule into question. We provide evidence for the interaction of an enzyme with ultraphosphates and discover a rearrangement linearizing the branched structure. Moreover, ultraphosphate can phosphorylate nucleophiles such as amino acids and nucleosides with implications for prebiotic chemistry. Our results provide an entry point into the uncharted territory of branched condensed phosphates.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25668-3

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