Selection and application of environmentally friendly solvents
The choice of solvent has a significant impact on the efficiency of peptide synthesis and the quality of the final product. Traditional peptide synthesis commonly uses solvents such as dimethylformamide (DMF). Although it has strong solubility and swelling ability of peptide resins, it is gradually being replaced by more environmentally friendly solvents in recent years due to its potential toxicity.
Selection of alternative solvents
2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF): has been used for solid-phase synthesis of Aib enkephalin pentapeptide on polyethylene glycol backbone peptide resin. The coupling condition is DIC/OxymaPure in 2-MeTHF, and the Fmoc group is removed with 20% piperidine in 2-MeTHF.
Gamma valerolactone: has been used as a substitute for DMF for SPPS of Aib ACP decapeptide on ChemMatrix resin. In this case, DMF is still used for washing and Fmoc removal steps. Researchers have shown that the most common Fmoc amino acid derivatives are soluble in γ - valerolactone at 0.1M, making this solvent potentially useful for automated synthesis.
Propylenecarbonate: has been used as a substitute solvent for DMF for peptide synthesis, as well as for solid-phase synthesis of nine peptide bradykinin on ChemMatrix resin (Fmoc/tBu strategy).
The application advantages of environmentally friendly solvents
The use of environmentally friendly solvents not only helps to reduce environmental pollution, but also improves the efficiency and safety of peptide synthesis. For example, gamma valerolactone, as an alternative, reduces the harm to health while maintaining its synthetic effect.
Conclusion
In summary, the application of environmentally friendly solvents in peptide synthesis not only reflects the concept of green chemistry, but also provides new directions for the development of peptide synthesis technology. With the advancement of technology and the increasing awareness of environmental protection, more environmentally friendly solvents will be developed and applied in peptide synthesis in the future, promoting the sustainable development of peptide chemistry and drug research and development.