A new peptide coupling reagent—Dialkyl phosphite

Phosphoric acid salts of amino acids as a source of oligopeptides on the early Earth

Because of their unique proton-conductivity, chains of phosphoric acid molecules are excellent proton-transfer catalysts. Here we demonstrate that this property could have been exploited for the prebiotic synthesis of the first oligopeptide sequences on our planet. Our results suggest that drying highly diluted solutions containing amino acids (like glycine, histidine and arginine) and phosphates in comparable concentrations at elevated temperatures (ca. 80 °C) in an acidic environment could lead to the accumulation of amino acid:phosphoric acid crystalline salts. Subsequent heating of these materials at 100 °C for 1-3 days results in the formation of oligoglycines consisting of up to 24 monomeric units, while arginine and histidine form shorter oligomers (up to trimers) only. Overall, our results suggest that combining the catalytic effect of phosphate chains with the crystalline order present in amino acid:phosphoric acid salts represents a viable solution that could be utilized to generate the first oligopeptide sequences in a mild acidic hydrothermal field scenario. Further, we propose that crystallization could help overcoming cyclic oligomer formation that is a generally known bottleneck of prebiotic polymerization processes preventing further chain growth.

Self-activation of N-phosphoamino acids and N-phosphodipeptides in oligopeptide formation

N-Phosphorylamino acids and N-phosphoryldipeptides can self-activate to give the oligopeptide. An intramolecular mixed anhydride intermediate might exist during the self-activating process. A peptide bond was formed from the N-terminus to the C-terminus by the '1 + n' mechanism, which was similar to the rRNA-peptide biosynthesis pathway.

Phosphoryl group participation leads to peptide formation from N-phosphorylamino acids

N-phosphorylated amino acids without a side chain functional group can transfer themselves into peptides after prolonged standing in solvents at warm temperatures. Seven N-phosphorylpeptides and free peptides were isolated and their structures determined. The phosphoryl group participation is the key to the peptide formation. An intramolecular mixed carboxylic-phosphoric anhydride intermediate was proposed for this type of reaction which might provide a clue to the function of the phosphoryl group in the phosphorylated enzymes and in the prebiotic synthesis of protein.

A novel reagent, dialkylphosphite, for peptide synthesis

The same dialkylphosphite reagent can be used for both N protection and C activation of amino acids. Two N-diisopropyloxyphosphinyl (Dipp) tripeptide esters were prepared, and nine N-Dipp-dipeptide acids were synthesized through the activated amide intermediate. The positive ion FAB-MS of N-Dipp-tripeptide showed novel cleavage patterns in that only the N-phosphoryl fragment ions gave intense peaks while the C-terminal series ions did not appear. This novel character might be useful for peptide sequence analysis. In addition, dialkyloxyphosphinyl group can be examined by 31P-NMR for peptide conformational analysis and inspection for the degree of racemization during the coupling reaction.