TCFH itself is a common reagent used in the preparation of uronium and guanidinium salts used for amide bond formation and peptide synthesis, such as HATU.[2][3][4]
Amide bond formation with TCFH can be performed in a wide range of organic solvents, most commonly acetonitrile, but also water[5] and in the solid state.[6] Reactions typically require an added Brønsted base, and a wide range can be employed including N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA). In reactions of carboxylic acids with TCFH and a weakly Lewis basic amine like DIPEA, formation of an acid chloride or anhydride as the active acylating agent occurs.[7] Use of N-methylimidazole (NMI) as a base, with both Brønsted and Lewis basic properties, provides some unique advantages. Reactions of carboxylic acids with TCFH and a strongly Lewis basic amine like NMI lead to in situ formation of an N-acyl imidazolium ion (NAI) as the active acylating agent.
TCFH Mechanism
These strongly electrophilic NAIs[8][9] allow for reactions with a wide range of nitrogen nucleophiles, including hindered and electron-deficient amines.[10] An added benefit of the use of NMI as the base, due to its low pKa(H2O) of 7,[11] is that the epimerization of labile stereogenic centers is minimized. The reaction by-products have high water solubility, facilitating reaction workup and isolation.
TCFH can also be used in other reactions involving activation of carboxylic acids from reactions with oxygen-, sulfur- and carbon-nucleophiles for the preparation of esters, thioesters and ketones.[12][13] Extending beyond reactions with carboxylic acids, TCFH has been shown to be an activator for other oxygen centered nucleophiles, including heterocyclic alcohols, ketooximes, and even alcohols.[14][15] Reactivity with sulfur centered nucleophiles like thioureas has also been demonstrated.
Uses of TCFH
Safety
TCFH does not irritate skin but is a potent eye irritant.[16] The sensitization potential of TCFH was shown to be low compared to other amide bond forming agents, which can be used in the context of peptide synthesis (it is non-sensitizing at 1% in the local lymph node assay according to OECD 429[17]). The major by-product of using TCFH is tetramethylurea, which has demonstrated teratogenic activity in several laboratory animal species.[18]
↑Dadali, V.A.; Zubareva, T.M.; Litvinenko, L.M.; Simanenko, Y.S. (1984). "Effect of Structural Factors on the Kinetics of Formation and Reactivity of the Intermediate Product in Acyl Transfer Reaction Catalyzed by Imidazoles". J. Org. Chem. USSR20: 1542–1551.