Synthesis of (L) α-2,4-Dinitrophenylhistidne

Abstract

The reaction of histidine with 1 : 2 : 4-fluorodinitrobenzene (FDNB) could yield a di-substituted histidine and two mono-substituted histidines. Di-dinitrophenylhistidine has been prepared in pure form, and although the isolation of a mono-dinitrophenylhistidine has been claimed, neither physical constants nor proof of structure were given. Later workers have not been able to prepare either of the mono-substituted compounds in pure form. Efforts to synthesize -dinitrophenylhistidine were recently reported to have resulted in mixtures containing equal amounts of imidazole dinitrophenylhistidine and α-dinitrophenylhistidine.