Cyclization studies with a model pentapeptide.
A pentapeptide with the sequence Gly-Ala-D-Val-Leu-Ile was designed for a study of cyclization. Isoleucine was selected as the C-terminal residue in order to determine, from the amount of alloisoleucine in the cyclic product, the extent of racemization during activation and ring closure. The insolubility of cyclo (glycyl-alanyl-D-valyl-leucyl-isoleucyl) in the commonly used solvents facilitated its isolation and thus the evaluation of comparative experiments. Because of its thermal stability the cyclopentapeptide could be purified by sublimation in vacuo. The results of cyclization experiments carried out with this model suggest that separation of the steps of activation and coupling is preferable to cyclization with the help of coupling reagents, that is to the execution of activation and ring closure in a single operation.