Peptides MEX / Glossary
Peptide cleavage: release from a support and bond breaking
Cleavage needs context: the bond being broken determines what the step means.
Updated · Sources and editorial standards
Which bond is being broken
In solid-phase synthesis, cleavage often means releasing the chain from its support. Depending on the strategy, side-chain protection may also be removed. Elsewhere, cleavage can describe fragmentation of the peptide itself.
Sources: [1]
Reading the product of a step
Compare structures on both sides of the reaction arrow. Releasing a chain from resin does not mean it is purified or prove that all protecting groups are gone. The scheme and characterization should identify the material obtained.
Sources: [1]
Questions about this reference
Does cleavage always mean destroying the peptide?
No. It can break the support linkage while preserving the intended peptide chain.
Sources and original reading
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