H-L-Cys(Trt)-OtBu*HCl is a protected cysteine derivative in which the thiol side chain is trityl (Trt) protected, the amino group is presented as a free N-terminus (H-L-), and the carboxyl group is esterified as a tert-butyl ester (OtBu) with hydrochloride salt formation. The molecule contains an N-H and a carboxylate-protected carbonyl within the OtBu ester, while the cysteine sulfur is masked as a trityl thioether to suppress undesired thiol reactivity during peptide coupling and other functional-group manipulations. As a peptide-building-block intermediate, it is used in stepwise syntheses and related derivatization workflows where controlled chemoselectivity for the protected cysteine side chain and carboxyl functionality is required.
CAT No: CP25401
CAS No:158009-03-1
Synonyms/Alias:H-Cys(Trt)-OtBu*HCl;Cys(Trt)-OtBu*HCl
Chemical Name:S-Trityl-L-cysteine t-butyl ester hydrochloride
H-L-Cys(Trt)-OtBu*HCl is a protected cysteine derivative presented as an amino acid ester hydrochloride, featuring the L-configuration at the α-carbon and a thiol-bearing side chain masked as a trityl (Trt) thio-protecting group. The molecule contains an N-protected amino group (H-L-Cys(Trt) indicates the cysteine nitrogen is in the hydrogen/neutral form while the side-chain thiol is protected), an O-tert-butyl ester that can be cleaved under acidic conditions, and a hydrochloride counterion that improves handling of the esterified amino acid in peptide-coupling workflows. The trityl-protected thiol is stable to many coupling conditions yet can be deprotected to regenerate a reactive thiol for thioether/thioester formation, disulfide exchange, or native cysteine incorporation. The stereochemical fidelity of the L-amino acid backbone and the orthogonal protection pattern (Trt thio-protection with an acid-labile tert-butyl ester) make it suitable for controlled peptide building block preparation and downstream sulfur functionalization chemistry.
1. Protected Amino Acid Synthesis
H-L-Cys(Trt)-OtBu*HCl supports protected amino acid synthesis and orthogonal protection strategies by combining a Trt-protected cysteine thiol with an O-tert-butyl ester that can be removed to expose a carboxylate for further derivatization. The L-chiral center and the protected functional groups allow the compound to be incorporated into protected amino acid intermediate sequences where side-chain thiol stability during activation is required. Peptide coupling compatibility is enabled by the cysteine thiol being masked, reducing side reactions such as thiol oxidation or undesired thioester formation during amide bond construction. Downstream preparation of cysteine-containing peptide fragments and activated carboxyl derivatives can proceed from this ester hydrochloride while maintaining stereochemical control.
2. Peptide Synthesis
H-L-Cys(Trt)-OtBu*HCl functions as a cysteine peptide building block precursor for solid-phase or solution-phase peptide synthesis where thiol chemoselectivity is needed. The Trt thio-protecting group suppresses thiol reactivity during peptide coupling, while the tert-butyl ester can serve as a protected carboxyl handle for controlled conversion to coupling-ready forms. The hydrochloride salt form can improve operational handling in peptide assembly steps that require consistent amino acid solubility and reactivity. After peptide assembly, Trt deprotection can regenerate a free cysteine thiol for disulfide engineering, thioether installation, or selective labeling, enabling cysteine-rich sequences and chemically defined peptide analogs.
3. Bioconjugation Chemistry
H-L-Cys(Trt)-OtBu*HCl is applicable to bioconjugation workflows that require site-specific cysteine chemistry while preventing premature thiol exposure. The protected thiol and protected carboxyl/ester functionality support staged synthesis of cysteine-containing linkers, peptide tags, or conjugation handles that can be activated after assembly. Trt deprotection can generate a thiol suitable for selective thioalkylation, maleimide addition, disulfide exchange, or thioester-related coupling strategies, depending on the downstream reagent set. The L-cysteine stereochemistry and orthogonal protecting-group logic help maintain defined chemical structure in conjugates used for biochemical research and industrial reagent production.
4. Peptidomimetics And SAR Studies
H-L-Cys(Trt)-OtBu*HCl can be employed in peptidomimetic construction and structure-activity relationship studies where cysteine side-chain positioning and sulfur functionality influence molecular recognition. The Trt-protected thiol supports incorporation into analog libraries without uncontrolled oxidation, enabling systematic comparison of sulfur oxidation states or thioether/thioester substitutions after deprotection. The amino acid ester form can be converted into carboxyl-derivatized intermediates used to assemble constrained scaffolds, cyclized motifs, or linker-bearing analogs that emulate cysteine-containing pharmacophores. Downstream sulfur functionalization from the regenerated thiol supports SAR-driven diversification while preserving the L-configuration at the stereogenic α-carbon.
5. Process Chemistry Intermediate
H-L-Cys(Trt)-OtBu*HCl is suitable as a process chemistry intermediate for manufacturing routes that require stable cysteine protection during bulk or fine-chemical synthesis. The Trt thio-protecting group provides robustness under many coupling and activation conditions, while the acid-labile tert-butyl ester offers a practical handle for controlled deprotection and conversion to carboxylate-derived intermediates. The hydrochloride salt form can be leveraged to improve reproducibility of handling and to support consistent downstream transformations in industrial amino acid derivative production. The compound's defined stereochemistry and orthogonal protection pattern make it compatible with scalable preparation of cysteine-containing building blocks, including peptide-grade fragments and sulfur-functional intermediates for specialty chemical production.
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