Solution-Phase Synthesis of Dipeptides: A Capstone Project That Employs Key Techniques in an Organic Laboratory Course

Abstract

A contemporary approach to the synthesis and purification of several UV-active dipeptides has been developed for the second-year organic laboratory. This experiment exposes students to the important technique of solution-phase peptide synthesis and allows an instructor to highlight the parallel between what they are accomplishing in the laboratory to the advancements being made in the pharmaceutical industry. By illustrating the importance of protecting group strategy and stereochemistry preservation, while also reinforcing the various separatory and purification techniques learned throughout the typical laboratory course, this experiment serves as an excellent candidate for a capstone project that assesses students’ mastery of important techniques learned in an introductory organic laboratory course.