Dehydro-enkephalins. VIII. Attempted synthesis of dehydrotyrosine-enkephalins.

Two kinds of dehydropeptide analogs of enkephalin containing a delta Tyr unit at the N-terminus have been synthesized by coupling Boc-delta Tyr-(Cl2 Bzl)-OH with amino acid amides and tetrapeptide esters using the water soluble carbodiimide-HOBt method. Pentapeptides consisting of delta Tyr1, and delta Phe4 or delta Leu5 were also prepared. Ultraviolet difference spectroscopy was important in the characterization of the dehydro moieties, delta Tyr, delta Phe and delta Leu. Attempts to liberate delta Tyr1-enkephalins have been unsuccessful because of the instability of an N-terminal delta Tyr residue having p-phenolic group in the side chain.