H-L-Asp-pNA*HCl is a protected amino acid derivative of L-aspartic acid bearing a p-nitroanilide (pNA) functionality and present as a hydrochloride salt, placing the molecule within the aspartate-derived amide/anion-activated derivative class. The structure contains the aspartate backbone with a side-chain carboxylic acid and an anilide-linked p-nitroanilide moiety, while the "*HCl" indicates salt formation that can influence solubility and handling. In biochemical and analytical workflows, this compound is commonly used as a substrate-like reagent for studies that monitor aspartate-related proteolysis or acyl-transfer events via p-nitroaniline readouts, and it also serves as a chemically defined building block for preparing further aspartate-containing peptide and probe derivatives.
CAT No: CP25394
CAS No:154564-03-1
Synonyms/Alias:H-Asp-pNA*HCl;Aspartic acid alpha-4-nitroanilide hydrochloride
Chemical Name:L-Aspartic acid alpha-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride
H-L-Asp-pNA*HCl is a hydrochloride salt form of the L-aspartic acid p-nitroanilide, where the aspartate side chain provides a free or readily addressable carboxyl functionality and the para-nitroanilide moiety introduces a strongly chromophoric aniline group. The molecule contains the stereochemically defined L-configuration at the α-carbon, which is relevant for compatibility with amino-acid-based coupling and for maintaining stereochemical fidelity during peptide and peptidomimetic synthesis. The p-nitroanilide chromophore can participate in analytical readouts through its nitro-activated aromatic system, while the salt form improves handling of this polar amino-acid derivative. The presence of both an amide-linked anilide and an aspartate carboxyl group makes H-L-Asp-pNA*HCl a practical biochemical research intermediate for substrate analog design and downstream functional group manipulation.
1. Enzyme Substrate Assays
H-L-Asp-pNA*HCl is applied in biochemical research focused on enzyme substrate screening and mechanistic studies where an aspartate-containing motif is required. The L-aspartate stereocenter and the side-chain carboxyl group can be used to mimic recognition elements in protease, peptidase, or amidase-like catalytic sites that engage acidic residues. The p-nitroanilide functionality supports chromogenic monitoring, enabling conversion-linked readouts that correlate with substrate processing. The hydrochloride salt form can facilitate consistent solubility behavior in assay-relevant media, supporting reproducible analytical workflows. The compound's amino-acid framework also makes it suitable as a starting point for designing related substrate analogs for structure-function investigations.
2. Peptide Coupling Building Block
H-L-Asp-pNA*HCl is utilized in peptide chemistry as an aspartate-derived building block for constructing peptide-linked derivatives that retain an anilide chromophore for downstream detection. The molecule's amide linkage and protected salt-associated handling allow it to be incorporated into synthetic sequences where the aspartate side-chain carboxyl can be further derivatized or used for selective coupling after appropriate functional group management. The L-configuration supports stereochemically consistent incorporation into peptide analogs, which is important for maintaining substrate specificity in biochemical assays. The p-nitroanilide group can function as a reporter handle, allowing prepared peptides or peptide fragments to be tracked during synthesis and subsequent analytical characterization. Downstream derivatization can include conversion of the side-chain carboxyl into activated esters or amide-linked conjugates to generate peptide conjugates and research reagents.
3. Analytical Standards Development
H-L-Asp-pNA*HCl is suitable for analytical research workflows that require amino-acid-based standards and chromophoric reference materials. The para-nitroanilide aromatic system provides a measurable spectroscopic signature, while the aspartate backbone introduces chemical identity consistent with acidic amino-acid analytes. The hydrochloride salt form supports handling of a polar compound in calibration and method-development contexts where reproducible dissolution is needed. The defined stereochemistry of the L-aspartate residue can be leveraged when stereospecific discrimination or stereochemically faithful reference compounds are required. The compound can also serve as a starting material for preparing structurally related standards through controlled functional group transformations on the aspartate carboxyl.
4. Side-Chain Functionalization Intermediates
H-L-Asp-pNA*HCl is employed as a functionalized amino-acid intermediate for side-chain carboxyl derivatization in synthetic organic chemistry. The aspartate carboxyl group can be converted into amide, ester, or activated-carboxyl derivatives to generate a library of p-nitroanilide-containing conjugates for biochemical labeling and analytical tagging. The amide-linked anilide moiety can remain intact under many protecting-group strategies, supporting orthogonal manipulation where the side-chain functionality is selectively addressed. The L-stereocenter provides a consistent chiral scaffold for producing stereochemically defined derivatives used in structure-activity relationship studies of peptide-like motifs. The resulting functionalized products can be carried forward as intermediates for peptidomimetic construction and for producing research-grade reagents that incorporate an aspartate recognition element.
5. Fine Chemical Synthesis and Process Chemistry
H-L-Asp-pNA*HCl is relevant to process chemistry and specialty chemical production where amino-acid-derived chromophoric intermediates are manufactured for downstream biochemical and analytical uses. The compound's salt form and polar functionality can be managed in industrial-scale crystallization and handling steps, supporting reproducible material preparation for consistent downstream performance in assay or synthesis applications. The combination of an L-aspartate core with a nitroanilide reporter enables streamlined procurement of a defined chiral intermediate that can be converted into higher-complexity derivatives through controlled carboxyl activation and coupling chemistry. Manufacturing routes can leverage the stability of the amide linkage while selectively transforming the aspartate side chain to produce peptide fragments, conjugates, or substrate analogs. The compound thereby functions as a practical intermediate in amino-acid derivatization workflows that connect chiral building block supply to biochemical research reagent generation.
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