benzyloxycarbonylarginine

Benzyloxycarbonylarginine (Z-Arg) is a synthetic amino acid derivative commonly used in peptide synthesis. It is an N-protected arginine, where the amino group is protected by a benzyloxycarbonyl (Z) group. This protection strategy allows for selective reactions to occur at other functional groups within the peptide chain. Z-Arg is typically synthesized by reacting arginine with benzyl chloroformate in an alkaline solution. The compound is widely used in solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) as a building block for creating peptides containing arginine residues. Its importance lies in its ability to provide a temporary protection of the amino group, preventing unwanted side reactions and ensuring efficient peptide assembly. Z-Arg is also studied for its potential applications in medicinal chemistry, where it can be used to develop drugs with enhanced stability and bioavailability. The protected arginine residue can be readily removed after peptide synthesis using strong acids or hydrogenolysis, leading to the desired peptide product.'