MODIFIED METHOD OF SYNTHESIS OF N-SUBSTITUTED DITHIOESTERS OF AMINO-ACIDS AND PEPTIDES IN THE PINNER REACTION

An improved method for the synthesis of dithioesters of amino acids an d peptides has been developed. The syntheses have been carried out fro m the nitriles. The addition of thiol to the nitrile derivative in the Pinner step of dithioester synthesis was activated with hydrogen fluo ride. A few examples of dithioester synthesis using liquid HF are desc ribed. Some novel dithioesters, which are model compounds for resonanc e Raman spectroscopic studies of dithioacylpapain intermediates, are d escribed.