A FAST PROCEDURE FOR THE PREPARATION OF AMIDES PEPTIDES FROM CARBOXYLIC-ACIDS AND AZIDES VIA 2 REDOX REACTIONS - APPLICATION TO THE SYNTHESIS OF METHIONINE-ENKEPHALIN/

A one-pot self regulated approach for the synthesis of amides/peptides based on two reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions has been described . The primary and secondary amides/peptides are made by using azidotri methylsilane and alkyl azides/alpha-azido acid derivatives respectivel y as the direct source of amine components. Benzeneselenol, generated in the reaction medium during carboxyl activation, has been found to b e an effective reducing agent for the conversion of azides to primary amines. The methodology has been applied to the synthesis of methionin e enkephalin.