Histidine protection

Abstract

Histidine derivatives of formula I are useful inter alia in peptide synthesis. ##STR1## wherein: X represents --CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 Ar, in which Ar is a phenyl substituent optionally substituted by one or more halogen, alkoxy, alkyl or nitro groups; Y, which differs from X, represents hydrogen, a protective group capable of inhibiting self coupling during formation of a peptide bond, an amino acid residue, a peptide chain or an antibiotic residue; E represents OH,OM,M representing an alkali metal or ammonium, OR, R representing an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl group, an amino acid residue, a peptide chain or an antibiotic residue; the compound I being optionally in the form of a hydrate or acid salt. In compounds I of especial interest, X represents benzyloxymethyl or p-bromobenzyloxymethyl, Y represents t-butyloxycarbonyl and E represents --OH.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.