Construction of Peptide-Isoquinolone Conjugates via Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-H Activation/Annulation

Org Lett. 2023 May 5;25(17):2996-3000. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c00766. Epub 2023 Apr 27.

Abstract

Herein, we disclose a Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/annulation reaction for the derivatization of Lys-based peptides, in situ affording diverse peptide-isoquinolone conjugates. This approach features racemization-free conditions, high atom- and step-economy, excellent chemo- and site-selectivity, and broad scope including substrates bearing unprotected Trp and Tyr, free Ser and Gln, and Met residues. The peptide-isoquinolone conjugates also display good fluorescent properties with maximum emission wavelengths up to 460 nm. Importantly, preliminary antifungal activity studies indicate that peptide-isoquinolone conjugates show potential activities toward crop and forest pathogenic fungi, in which the peptide-isoquinolone conjugate bearing unprotected Tyr residue exhibits much better antifungal activities toward B. cinerea Pers. and C. chrysosperma than the positive control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents* / pharmacology
  • Catalysis
  • Fungi
  • Peptides*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Peptides