Have you encountered bottlenecks in peptide synthesis despite optimal reaction conditions? When yields remain stubbornly low, N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC) might be the solution you need.

Commonly abbreviated as DIPC, this crucial organic synthesis reagent serves as a powerful coupling agent in peptide chain formation. Functioning like a molecular catalyst, DIC efficiently connects amino acids to construct complex peptide structures. High-purity DIC (98.0% by GC analysis) ensures reliable and reproducible experimental results.

Key identifiers for this compound include:

• Linear formula: (CH3)2CHN=C=NCH(CH3)2
• CAS Number: 693-13-0
• Molecular weight: 126.20 g/mol
• Beilstein Registry Number: 878281
• EC Number: 211-743-7
• PubChem Substance ID: 329755678

DIC operates through a two-stage activation mechanism:

1. Carboxyl activation: Reacts with carboxylic groups to form O-acylisourea intermediates, increasing electrophilicity
2. Amine attack: Nucleophilic acyl substitution forms peptide bonds while generating diisopropylurea (DIU) as byproduct

Compared to alternative coupling reagents, DIC offers distinct benefits:

• Rapid reaction kinetics
• Broad compatibility with various amino acids
• Convenient liquid handling properties

Important precautions include:

• Potential side reactions (racemization/isomerization) mitigated by additives like HOBt
• Requires proper personal protective equipment due to irritant properties
• Moisture-sensitive storage requirements

While DIC remains widely used, several alternatives exist:

• DCC (N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) - slower reaction rates
• EDC (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide) - water-soluble variant
• HATU - premium-performance reagent with faster kinetics

Reagent selection should consider specific reaction parameters and desired outcomes.