Synthesis of Peptide Cysteine Dimedone Using Fmoc-Cys(Dmd)-OH: Glutathione Cysteine Dimedone as a Probe in Investigating the Sulfenic Acid Mediated Oxidation of Glutathione

Dimedone is the most widely used chemical probe for detection of cysteine sulfenic acid in peptides and proteins. The reaction of dimedone with cysteine sulfenic acid results in the formation of unique cysteine dimedone motif containing thioether bridge. Based on the structure of cysteine dimedone residue in polypeptide, a new building block of Fmoc-Cys(Dmd)-OH was developed for solid phase synthesis of peptide cysteine dimedone. Mass spectrometric sequencing of synthetic peptides have confirmed successful incorporation of cysteine dimedone in peptide chain using HBTU/HOBt as a coupling agent. The new method permits synthesis of peptides containing both cysteine thiol and cysteine dimedone in the same sequence which was difficult to achieve by conventional methods. The synthetic peptide of glutathione cysteine dimedone was used as a standard in probing the air-mediated oxidation of thiol to disulfide form of glutathione. The co-elution of standard peptide and reaction mixture of oxidation of glutathione in presence of dimedone using RP-HPLC have confirmed the formation of glutathione cysteine sulfenic as an intermediate in the air-mediated oxidation of glutathione. The synthetic peptides of cysteine dimedone may find application in the field of redox proteomics and generation of antibodies against modified cysteine residue.     

A simple and greener approach for the synthesis of PVC supported Pd (0): application to Heck and Sonogashira reactions in water

Preparation of PVC-supported Pd nanoparticles through the reduction of PdCl₂ by a non-toxic and eco-friendly route, employing sodium formate and NaOH in ethanol–water system has been described. The prepared PVC supported Pd nanoparticles were employed as catalyst in the cross coupling reactions, that is, Heck and Sonogashira reactions in water medium to afford the respective products in good to excellent yields.     

T3P® (propylphosphonic anhydride) mediated conversion of carboxylic acids into acid azides and one-pot synthesis of ureidopeptides

A general, mild, efficient, and environmentally benign protocol, which makes use of T3P® as an acid activating agent for the direct synthesis of acid azides from carboxylic acids is described. Further, the protocol is employed for the one-pot synthesis of α-ureidopeptides starting from N-protected α-amino acids.     

Iron(III) catalysed synthesis of unsymmetrical di and trisubstituted ureas--a variation of classical Ritter reaction

An application of the classical Ritter reaction for the synthesis of unsymmetrical di and trisubstituted ureas catalyzed by FeCl(3) is described. The protocol is of significant interest in view of the easy availability of precursors, mild reaction conditions employed and interestingly its applicability for the alkylation of alcohols capable of forming stable carbocationic intermediates even to the sterically hindered moieties.