Chapter 25, Problem 81PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Structure of the protected amino acid anchored to solid support to prepare leucine enkephalin using Merrifield synthesis need to be identified.

Concept introduction:

Peptides can be synthesized in more yield by using the method developed by R. Bruce Merrifield.  A peptide containing a large number of amino acid residue can be synthesized easily by this method.  The coupling of the amino acid residues are done without purification.  The key steps involved in Merrifield Synthesis are,

• Attachment of Boc-protected residue to polymer.
• Removal of Boc Protecting group.
• Coupling with another Boc-protected amino acid using DCC.
• For each amino acid that is added to the growing peptide chain removal of Boc and coupling is done.
• Removal of Boc and detachment of peptide from the polymer.

Please remember in Merrifield synthesis the C-terminus is anchored to the solid support and the coupling is done sequentially.