Synthesis of 1,2-Azaborines and the Preparation of Their Protein Complexes with T4 Lysozyme Mutants

We describe a general synthesis of 1,2-azaborines using standard air-free techniques and protein complex preparation with T4 lysozyme mutants by vapor diffusion. Oxygen-and moisture-sensitive compounds are prepared and isolated under an inert atmosphere (N-2) using either a vacuum gas manifold or a glove box. As an example of azaborine synthesis, we demonstrate the synthesis and purification of the volatile N-H-B-ethyl-1,2-azaborine by a five-step sequence involving distillation and column chromatography for the isolation of products. T4 lysozyme mutants L99A and L99A/M102Q are expressed with Escherichia coli RR1 strain. Standard protocols for chemical cell lysis followed by purification using carboxymethyl ion exchange column affords protein of sufficiently high purity for crystallization. Protein crystallization is performed in various concentrations of precipitant at different pH ranges using the hanging drop vapor diffusion method. Complex preparation with the small molecules is carried out by vapor diffusion method under an inert atmosphere. X-ray diffraction analysis of the crystal complex provides unambiguous structural evidence of binding interactions between the protein binding site and 1,2-azaborines.