Deprotection/reprotection of the amino group in α-amino acids and peptides. A one-pot procedure in [Bmim][BF4] ionic liquid

This paper presents an efficient one-pot protocol for the sequential deprotection/reprotection of the α-amino group in α-amino acid and dipeptide methyl esters. [Bmim][BF4] is used as the solvent in the entire process. In particular, the use of the ionic liquid allows for rapid and clean removal of the 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl (nosyl) group and for facile subsequent tert-butyloxycarbonylation of the free α-amino function under very mild conditions. N-Boc-α-amino acid as well as peptide derivatives are isolated in excellent yields, and do not require any further purification. Absolute configurations of the precursors are totally preserved during the process.