Coupling reagents activation method

FIGURE 3.14 Schematic representation of (a) Curtis azide activation and (b) coupling reagents activation method. 

Although the copper mediated Ullmann reaction is a well known method for biaryl synthesis, drastic conditions in the range of 150-280 °C are required. Zerovalent nickel complexes such as bis(l,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel or tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)nickel have been shown to be acceptable coupling reagents under mild conditions however, the complexes are unstable and not easy to prepare. The method using activated metallic nickel eliminates most of these problems and provides an attractive alternative for carrying out aryl coupling reactions(36,38). 

Co(III)-chelated amino acid ester reactant and/or peptide product (Scheme 1). This basic difficulty was quickly pointed out (5), and has subsequently been examined and commented upon by others (6, 7). Such criticisms are well-founded since epimerization (or racemization) is a common problem, at least to some degree, in all chemical methods of synthesis where acyl-activation is employed. As a result, metal-activation methods have received little attention. However, since 1981 we have refined the Co(III) method such that very fast, clean, couplings can now be carried out using A-[Co(en)2((S)-AAOMe)]3+ reagents, which involve minimal (<2%) epimerization/racemization provided experimental conditions are strictly adhered to. 

The general method utilized to prepare E5-Ab solutions obviates the need for stocking large numbers of reagents which would be necessary if different activation methods were used for each antibody. A number of specific antibodies immobilized by this process have shown response similar to that of the same antibodies when adsorbed as immune complexes in the Stratus system. In addition, the dendrimer-coupled antibodies have shown dramatic improvements in sensitivity, flexibility and precision for the enzyme immunoassay system. Feasibility demonstration of an assay for DNA probes is a prelude to what can possibly be achieved with these dendrimer-based reagents. 

F Albericio, LA Carpino. Coupling reagents and activation. Methods Enzymol. 289, 104—126, 1997. 

General coupling methods are as follows (1) azide procedure, (2) anhydrides, (3) active esters, and (4) coupling reagents. ... 

Historically, the methods used for ring closure of linear precursor peptides via amide bond formation evolved in parallel to the methods applied in segment condensations from the azide and active ester procedures to the use of coupling reagents such as DCC in the presence of additives, or of the more recently developed phosphonium and uronium/gua-nidinium reagents. In all cases the choice of method is mainly dictated by the epimerization problem when chiral amino acids act as the carboxy component in the cyclization reaction, and by other side reactions. 

The other method requires the use of in situ activated amino acids. Activation of the amino acids is carried out by adding an activator and coupling reagent to the unactivated Fmoc-protected amino acid derivative. This method is more time... 

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