Synthesis and ESI mass spectrometric analysis of the association of mercury(II) with multi-cysteinyl peptides

The effect of increasing cysteinyl residues in a peptide chain on mercury(II) associations and complex type formations is reported. Three series of di-, tri-, and tetra-cysteinyl peptides were prepared by microwave-assisted solid phase peptide synthesis. Complexes were characterized by mass spectrometry utilizing complex specific mercury isotopic patterns.