New method for the cleavage of the S-p-methoxybenzyl and S-t-butyl groups of cysteine residues with mercury(II) trifluoroactate

Abstract

Sulphydryl protecting groups (p-methoxybenzyl and t-butyl), for cysteine are cleanly removed by the action of mercury(II) trifluoroacetate in aqueous acetic acid or mercury(II) acetate in trifluoracetic acid; treatment of the sulphides formed with thiols regenerates the cysteine derivatives.