Experimental and computational studies on a protonated 2-pyridinyl moiety and its switchable effect for the design of thermolytic devices.

1D and 2D NMR investigations as well as computational studies, including static quantum-mechanics calculations, density function theory formalism, and classical molecular dynamics, were applied to determine the protonation sites in the thermolabile protecting group (TPG) containing a 2-pyridynyl moiety within its structure. This protecting group has three possible sites for protonation: an azomethine (pyridinic) atom (N1), 2-aminoethanol residue (N2), and 4-amino substituent (N4). Our investigations showed that the protonation mainly occurs on the N1 atom. Such protonation seems to be a major inhibitory factor in the thermal removal of 2-pyridynyl TPG by the "chemical switch" approach and decreases the aromaticity of the pyridine ring. We also discussed possible participation of N2 nitrogen in irreversible intramolecular cyclization under acidic conditions.