A Sulfonium Triggered Thiol-yne Reaction for Cysteine Modification

J Org Chem. 2020 Feb 7;85(3):1698-1705. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b02505. Epub 2020 Jan 10.

Abstract

We report a facile thiol-yne type reaction triggered by the sulfonium center. After facile propargylation of thiolethers, the resulting sulfonium could undergo facile addition with thiols in aqueous media at ambient temperature. Further applying this reaction in unprotected peptides bearing neighboring methionine and cysteine could enable a facile intramolecular addition to construct cyclic peptides with better stability, good glutathione resistance, and increased cellular uptakes. Also, the propargylated sulfonium may be used as robust and versatile probes to target cysteines containing biomolecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cysteine*
  • Peptides
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Cysteine