Synthesis and electrochemical properties of tetrathiafulvalene derived amino acids and peptides

A synthetic route to a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derived aspartic acid derivative 18, with suitable orthogonal protecting groups has been developed. The aspartic acid derivative 18 can be used in the synthesis of peptides, as exemplified by the synthesis of di-, tri- and tetra-peptides 21–23. Preliminary electrochemical studies of these novel peptides indicate that they may well undergo conformational reorganisation upon oxidation of the TTF moieties.