Deprotection of S-acetamidomethyl cysteine with copper(ii) and 1,2-aminothiols under aerobic conditions

Org Biomol Chem. 2020 Nov 14;18(42):8638-8645. doi: 10.1039/d0ob01475c. Epub 2020 Aug 28.

Abstract

Ring-opening by CuSO4 of a 1,3-thiazolidine carbonyl structure (Thz) as an N-terminal cysteine (Cys) residue revealed that an intramolecular S-acetamidomethyl cysteine (Cys(Acm)) can also be deprotected with concomitant formation of a disulphide bond connecting the two Cys residues. A mechanistic study on the disulphide formation led to a general protocol for deprotection of the S-Acm group by CuSO4 and a 1,2-aminothiol under aerobic conditions. Application of this new deprotection reaction allowed for the synthesis of Apamin, a peptide with two-disulphides in a one-pot/stepwise disulphide-bridging procedure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't