Methyl gerfelin derivatives, each having an amine-terminated tri(ethylene glycol) linker at the peripheral position, were designed and systematically synthesized. These “TEGylated” derivatives were then subjected to a structure–activity relationship (SAR) study to examine their glyoxalase 1-inhibition activity and binding affinity toward the three binding proteins identified. Among the derivatives
4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid and 3,4,5-trihydroxytoluene, respectively. An effective ligand, 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl, was used in the palladium-catalyzed diaryl ether-forming reaction. Five analogouscompounds of gerfelin were also synthesized for a study of the structure-activity relationship.