Abstract: | With the aim of studying the suitability of the 2-cyano group for the protection of carboxylic functions in peptide synthesis, we have obtained the 2-cyanoethyl esters of a number of amino acids and have studied their behavior under the conditions of peptide synthesis. The synthesis of the pentapeptide leucine-enkaphalin has been performed with the use of 2-cyanoethyl protection for C-terminal carboxy groups throughout. The physicochemical characteristics of the compounds synthesized are given.All-Union Scientific-Research Institute of Molecular Biology Kol'tsovo, Novosibirsk oblast Vector Scientific Industrial Association of the USSR Minmedbioprom, Novosibirsk. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 412–416, May–June, 1988. |