Preparation and Applications of Xanthenylamide (XAL) Handles for Solid-Phase Synthesis of C-Terminal Peptide Amides under Particularly Mild Conditions(1-3)

[[9-[(9-Fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl)amino]xanthen-2(or 3)-yl]oxy]alkanoic acid (XAL) handles have been prepared by efficient four-step routes from 2- or 3-hydroxyxanthone and coupled onto a range of amino-functionalized supports. The resultant XAL supports are the starting points for solid-phase peptide synthesis by Fmoc chemistry.

Upon completion of chain assembly, C-terminal peptide amides are released in excellent yields and purities by use of low concentrations [1-5% (v/v)] of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in dichloromethane, often without a need for added carbocation scavengers. These cleavage conditions allow retention of all or a significant portion of tert-butyl type and related side-chain protecting groups, which subsequently may be removed fully in a solution process carried out at higher acid concentration.

XAL supports are particularly useful for the synthesis of acid-sensitive peptides, including tryptophan-containing sequences that are known to be susceptible to yield- and/or purity-reducing alkylation side reactions. The effectiveness of this chemistry was shown with the syntheses of prothrombin (1-9), acyl carrier protein (65-74), Tabanus atratus adipokinetic hormone, fragments of the protein RHK 1, CCK-8 sulfate, and oxytocin.

Furthermore, the application of XAL supports for the preparation of fully protected peptide amides has been demonstrated.