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Tautomerization and Dissociation of Molecular Peptide Radical Cations
Author(s) -
Mu Xiaoyan,
Song Tao,
Siu ChiKit,
Chu Ivan K.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the chemical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.61
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1528-0691
pISSN - 1527-8999
DOI - 10.1002/tcr.201700013
Subject(s) - tautomer , chemistry , peptide , radical ion , side chain , dissociation (chemistry) , radical , hydroxyl radical , computational chemistry , radical cyclization , stereochemistry , photochemistry , ion , organic chemistry , polymer , biochemistry
Abstract Radical‐mediated dissociations of peptide radical cations have intriguing unimolecular gas phase chemistry, with cleavages of almost every bond of the peptide backbone and amino acid side chains in a competitive and apparently “stochastic” manner. Challenges of unraveling mechanistic details are related to complex tautomerizations prior to dissociations. Recent conjunctions of experimental and theoretical investigations have revealed the existence of non‐interconvertible isobaric tautomers with a variety of radical‐site‐specific initial structures, generated from dissociative electron transfer of ternary metal‐ligand‐peptide complexes. Their reactivity is influenced by the tautomerization barriers, perturbing the nature, location, or number of radical and charge site(s), which also determine the energetics and dynamics of the subsequent radical‐mediated dissociatons. The competitive radical‐ and charge‐induced dissociations are extremely dependent on charge density. Charge sequesting can reduce the charge densities on the peptide backbone and hence enhance the flexibility of structural rearrangement. Analysing the structures of precursors, intermediates and products has led to the discovery of many novel radical migration prior to peptide backbone and/or side chain fragmentations. Upon these successes, scientists will be able to build peptide cationic analogues/tautomers having a variety of well‐defined radical sites.