Examination of the potential for adaptive chirality of the nitrogen chiral center in aza-aspartame

Molecules. 2013 Nov 28;18(12):14739-46. doi: 10.3390/molecules181214739.

Abstract

The potential for dynamic chirality of an azapeptide nitrogen was examined by substitution of nitrogen for the α-carbon of the aspartate residue in the sweetener S,S-aspartame. Considering that S,S- and R,S-aspartame possess sweet and bitter tastes, respectively, a bitter-sweet taste of aza-aspartame 9 could be indicative of a low isomerization barrier for nitrogen chirality inter-conversion. Aza-aspartame 9 was synthesized by a combination of hydrazine and peptide chemistry. Crystallization of 9 indicated a R,S-configuration in the solid state; however, the aza-residue chiral center was considerably flattened relative to its natural amino acid counterpart. On tasting, the authors considered aza-aspartame 9 to be slightly bitter or tasteless. The lack of bitter sweet taste of aza-aspartame 9 may be due to flattening from sp2 hybridization in the urea as well as a high barrier for sp3 nitrogen inter-conversion, both of which may interfere with recognition by taste receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspartame / chemical synthesis
  • Aspartame / chemistry*
  • Molecular Mimicry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nitrogen / chemistry*
  • Sweetening Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Sweetening Agents / chemistry*

Substances

  • Sweetening Agents
  • Nitrogen
  • Aspartame