Selective acid hydrolysis of 2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl esters and its application in peptide synthesis

Abstract

Experiments with various N-acylamino acid 2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl esters have shown that the ester group is cleaved selectively by cold trifluoroacetic acid without affecting benzyloxycarbonyl, formyl, or phthaloyl amino-protecting groups present. The possible value of this selective behaviour in peptide syntheses where the use of alkaline conditions would be detrimental is illustrated by the synthesis of certain dipeptide derivatives.