Synthesis and evaluation of chromogenic and fluorogenic analogs of glycerol for enzyme assays

The branched glycerol analogs 1 and 2 were prepared. Mono-ester derivatives of these triols undergo a chromogenic or fluorogenic reaction in the presence of NaIO4. In contrast, both the diesters and the triols are themselves not chromogenic or fluorogenic. Diester derivatives of these triols can be used as probes for lipases. The tris-phosphate derivative of I is a fluorogenic substrate for various phosphatases.