Photochemical desulfurization of L-cysteine derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(98)00295-X

Thiol groups can be reductively eliminated at room temperature by a photochemical method which makes use of triethylboron, triethylphosphite and visible light. Thus, after treating L-Cys 1a, D-Pen 1b, L-Cys-OMe 1c and glutathione (γ-L-Glu-L-Cys-Gly) 3, the corresponding desulfurized compounds L-Ala 2a, D-Val 2b, L-Ala-OMe 2c and γ-L-Glu-L-Ala-Gly 4, respectively, are prepared in high yields and with retention of configuration.