Synthesis of peptide amides by Fmoc-solid-phase peptide synthesis and acid labile anchor groups.

The preparation and use of new anchor groups for the synthesis of peptide amides by solid-phase peptide synthesis employing the Fmoc-method is described. Based on the structure of the 4,4'-dimethoxybenzhydryl group (Mbh) handles were developed, which could be cleaved by mild acid treatment to give carboxamides. The syntheses and application of Fmoc-amino-acid-(4-carboxylatomethyloxyphenyl-4'-methoxyphenyl) methyl amide and Fmoc-(4-carboxylatopropyloxyphenyl-4'-methoxyphenyl) methyl amide are described in detail. These handles were coupled to resins and a stepwise elongation of peptide chains proceeded smoothly with N alpha-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) amino acid derivatives using a carbodiimide/HOBt mediated reaction. The final cleavage of side-chain protecting groups and the release of the C-terminal amide moiety was achieved by the treatment with trifluoroacetic acid, dichloromethane in the presence of scavengers. Various peptides, such as the Leu-enkephalin amide and Leu-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gln-Gly-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-NH2, which is a good substrate for F XIII, were prepared in high yields and purities.