June 2024

Cross-coupling methods for the introduction of various substituents onto the olefin moiety of cyclooctenes were developed. A range of 1-substituted cis-cyclooctenes were synthesized. These protocols unlocked routes to previously inaccessible derivatives, permitting the syntheses of cis-cyclooctenes bearing various functional groups. Moreover, the method was applied to the synthesis of a 1,2-disubstituted trans-cyclooctene for the first time, which proved to be a significantly more active organocatalyst than the previously developed monosubstituted trans-cyclooctene.

The modification of biomolecules, particularly peptides, has garnered considerable attention from researchers, effectively serving as a connection between chemistry and biology. The modification of peptides can facilitate, among others, the generation of peptide drugs, antibody–drug conjugates, and probes for molecular imaging. Herein, we have carefully curated reactions and chemical transformations of bioactive peptide sequences equipped with histidine amino acids that are conducive for biological applications. This Account also highlights strategies for the chemical modification of histidine that might capture the imagination of both peptide researchers and synthetic chemists.1 Introduction2 Histidine Modification in Bioactive Peptides and Proteins3 Remote Bioactive Peptides and Protein Modification Adjacent to Histidine4 Conclusions and Future Directions