Synthesis of a Dipeptide and Testing for Antimicrobial Activity

This project will involve the production of a dipeptide using two amino acids. Both amino acids will be protected and a coupling reagent will be used to join these two peptides together in attempt to prevent unnecessary acid base reactions from happening, but also making a great leaving group to form the dipeptide. The protecting agents will be removed after the joining of amino acids which will result in a dipeptide. Work-up steps will be done to remove impurities and isolate the dipeptide. The dipeptide will be tested for antimicrobial activity after ensuring the dipeptide exists in the given sample using IR and NMR.