Guanidylguanyl

Guanidylguanyl is an organic compound that belongs to the class of guanidine derivatives. Its molecular formula is C4H10N4, and the compound contains two guanidyl functional groups linked by a single carbon–carbon bond. The chemical structure can be represented as (H2N)C(NH)=NH–C(H)–NH–C(NH)=NH, where each guanidyl moiety is characterized by a central carbon atom double‑bonded to a nitrogen and singly bonded to three other nitrogens.

The compound is typically synthesized via acid‑catalyzed condensation of guanidine with glycine or through reductive amination of guanidine with aldehydes that contain a guanidyl group. In laboratory procedures, the reaction is usually carried out in aqueous or alcoholic media at moderate temperatures. The product is isolated by precipitation or chromatographic techniques, and its identity is confirmed by ^1H NMR, ^13C NMR and mass spectrometry.

Physically, guanidylguanyl is a white crystalline solid at room temperature. It is highly soluble in water and polar organic solvents such as methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide due to the presence of multiple hydrogen‑bonding sites. The compound displays a high basicity (pKa values around 13.5 for the guanidinium groups) and can act as a chelating agent for metal ions, forming stable complexes with transition metals like zinc and copper.

In biochemical research, guanidylguanyl has been used as a building block for the synthesis of arginine analogues and as a ligand in studies of enzyme active sites that require guanidinium interactions. Limited pharmacological data suggest that the compound may inhibit certain proteases and metal‑dependent enzymes, although its therapeutic potential remains largely unexplored. The compound is also a substrate for guanidyltransferases in metabolic pathways studied in the context of nitrogen metabolism.

Due to its high reactivity and potential cytotoxicity, handling guanidylguanyl requires standard laboratory precautions, including the use of gloves and eye protection. The material is regulated as a chemical hazard under the general guidelines for handling guanidine derivatives.