Epimerization-free access to C-terminal cysteine peptide acids, carboxamides, secondary amides, and esters via complimentary strategies

Chem Sci. 2017 Nov 9;9(2):350-355. doi: 10.1039/c7sc03553e. eCollection 2018 Jan 14.

Abstract

C-Terminal cysteine peptide acids are difficult to access without epimerization of the cysteine α-stereocenter. Diversification of the C-terminus after solid-phase peptide synthesis poses an even greater challenge because of the proclivity of the cysteine α-stereocenter to undergo deprotonation upon activation of the C-terminal carboxylic acid. We present herein two general strategies to access C-terminal cysteine peptide derivatives without detectable epimerization, diketopiperazine formation, or piperidinylalanine side products.