Thermally induced cyclization of L -isoleucyl-L -alanine in solid state: Effect of dipeptide structure on reaction temperature and self-assembly

Thermal treatment of short-chain oligopeptides is able to initiate the process of their self-assembly with the formation of organic nanostructures with unique properties. On the other hand, heating can lead to a chemical reaction with the formation of new substances with specific properties and ability to form structures with different morphology. Therefore, in order to have a desired process, researcher needs to find its temperature range. In the present work, cyclization of _L -isoleucyl-_L -alanine dipeptide in the solid state upon heating was studied. Kinetic parameters of this reaction were estimated within the approaches of the nonisothermal kinetics. The correlation between side chain structure of dipeptides and temperature of their cyclization in the solid state was found for the first time. This correlation may be used to predict the temperature, at which dipeptide self-assembly changes to chemical reaction. The differences in self-assembly of linear and cyclic dipeptides were demonstrated using atomic force microscopy. The effect of dipeptide concentration in a source solution and an organic solvent used on self-assembly of dipeptides was shown. The new information obtained on the thermal properties and self-assembly of linear and cyclic forms of _L -isoleucyl-_L -alanine may be useful for the design of new nanomaterials based on oligopeptides, as well as for the synthesis of cyclic oligopeptides.