DIASTEREOSELECTIVE HYDROGENATION OF MONODEHYDRO ENKEPHALINS CONTROLLED BY CHIRAL RHODIUM CATALYSTS

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(00)82083-2

Protected (Z)dehydrophenylalanyl-Leu-enkephalin, (Z)dehydrotyrosyl-Leu-enkephalin and (Z)dehydrotyrosyl-(R)Ala²-Leu-enkephalin, have been synthesized.These compounds have been hydrogenated to give protected Leu-enkephalins in the presence of various chiral rhodium complexes.Deprotection of the product gave Leu-enkephalins or epimers, ytterbium in liquid ammonia allows smooth deprotection of NHCBz or OTs groups on small amounts of peptides.Strong stereocontrol could be achieved by suitable choice of the chiral catalyst.This method has good potential for stereospecific labelling of enkephalins and other small peptides.