N,N'-Diisopropylcarbodiimide

Chemical compound

N,N′-Diisopropylcarbodiimide is a carbodiimide used in peptide synthesis.^{[1] [2]}As a liquid, it is easier to handle than the commonly used N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, a waxy solid. In addition, N,N′-diisopropylurea, its byproduct in many chemical reactions, is soluble in most organic solvents, a property that facilitates work-up.

Safety

In vivo dermal sensitization studies according to OECD 429^[3] confirmed DIC is a strong skin sensitizer, showing a response at 0.20 wt% in the Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA) placing it in Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Dermal Sensitization Category 1A.^[4] Thermal hazard analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows DIC poses minimal explosion risks.^[5]

References

1. Angell, Yvonne M.; García-Echeverría, Carlos; Rich, Daniel H. (1994-08-15). "Comparative studies of the coupling of N-methylated, sterically hindered amino acids during solid-phase peptide synthesis". Tetrahedron Letters. 35 (33): 5981–5984. doi:10.1016/0040-4039(94)88054-9. ISSN 0040-4039.
2. Izdebski, Jan; Orlowska, Alicja; Anulewicz, Romana; Witkowska, Ewa; Fiertek, Dariusz (1994). "Reinvestigation of the reactions of carbodiimides with alkoxycarbonylamino acid symmetrical anhydrides: Isolation of two N ‐acylureas". International Journal of Peptide and Protein Research. 43 (2): 184–189. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3011.1994.tb00521.x. ISSN 0367-8377.
3. OECD (2010). Test No. 429: Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
4. Graham, Jessica C.; Trejo-Martin, Alejandra; Chilton, Martyn L.; Kostal, Jakub; Bercu, Joel; Beutner, Gregory L.; Bruen, Uma S.; Dolan, David G.; Gomez, Stephen; Hillegass, Jedd; Nicolette, John; Schmitz, Matthew (2022-06-20). "An Evaluation of the Occupational Health Hazards of Peptide Couplers". Chemical Research in Toxicology. 35 (6): 1011–1022. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00031. ISSN 0893-228X. PMC 9214767. PMID 35532537.
5. Sperry, Jeffrey B.; Minteer, Christopher J.; Tao, JingYa; Johnson, Rebecca; Duzguner, Remzi; Hawksworth, Michael; Oke, Samantha; Richardson, Paul F.; Barnhart, Richard; Bill, David R.; Giusto, Robert A.; Weaver, John D. (2018-09-21). "Thermal Stability Assessment of Peptide Coupling Reagents Commonly Used in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing". Organic Process Research & Development. 22 (9): 1262–1275. doi:10.1021/acs.oprd.8b00193. ISSN 1083-6160.