Are Aminomethyl Thioesters Viable Intermediates in Native Chemical Ligation Type Amide Bond Forming Reactions

The condensation of N-mercaptomethyl amines and thioesters is a potential route to amides, via aminomethyl thioester intermediates, in a native chemical ligation type process followed by self-cleavage of the 'mercaptomethyl' auxiliary. This paper describes investigations towards the preparation of aminomethyl thioesters, and subsequent conversion into amides, from a three-component coupling of formaldehyde, a thioacid, and an amine. Our studies suggest that while such intermediates may be formed en route to amides, no advantages are offered over the direct reaction of the amine and thioacid precursors.