Transesterification and other conversion reactions of acid derivatives, using an amidine

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Optically active substances and biomolecules such as peptides, amino acids and nucleic acids are sensitive to elevated temperatures, extreme pH values and/or long reaction times. During chemical synthesis, therefore these molecules, easily become racemised or denatured. The inventive method provides mild reaction conditions for saponification ammonolysis or transesterification of acid derivatives or splitting of polymer-bonded molecules. Transesterification saponification or splitting of polymer-bonded molecules e.g. in Merrifield synthesis, is brought about by combined use of an amidine base and a metal compound in the presence of an alcohol or water. When amino acid or peptide esters are …