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Protected dipeptides can be converted into cyclic ketoaminals, which can be subjected to palladium-catalyzed regioselective C-H functionalization. The best results are obtained using the 2-(methylthio)aniline (MTA) directing group, which is superior to the commonly used 8-aminoquinoline (AQ) group. No epimerization of stereogenic centers is observed. Subsequent cleavage of the directing and protecting groups allows the incorporation of a modified dipeptide into larger peptide chains.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) represents a new class of therapeutic agents. Its successful intracellular delivery is a major challenge. Lipo-oligomeric carriers can complex siRNA into lipopolyplexes and thus mediate its cellular uptake. In this study, siRNA against the kinesin related mRNA EG5 gene (siEG5) and the microtubule inhibitor pretubulysin (PT) were co-formulated into polyplexes using azide-containing lipo-oligomer 1198. Nanoparticles were further modified by click reaction using shielding agent DBCO-PEG or EGFR targeting peptide GE11 (DBCO-PEG-GE11). Polyplexes displayed efficient payload incorporation and homogenous particle sizes of 200 nm. The biological effects of the unmodified and surface-functionalized polyplexes were investigated. The successful GE11-mediated intracellular delivery of siRNA into the EGFR overexpressing KB and Huh7 cell lines facilitated potent silencing of an EGFP-luciferase reporter gene by GFP siRNA. Specific downregulation of EG5 mRNA by siEG5 resulted in the expected antitumoral activity. The combination formulation 1198 siEG5 + PT provided superior antitumoral activity over free PT and 1198 siEG5., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

2-(Methylthio)aniline (MTA) directed C(sp3)-H functionalisations are efficient and straightforward protocols for the selective β-modification of N-methylated amino acids. The decreased reactivity of MTA in comparison with the 8-aminoquinoline (AQ) directing group allows for selective monoarylations in high yields without the formation of side products. The protocol is also suitable for the introduction of highly functionalised side chains onto the C-terminal alanines of dipeptides. The MTA directing group can easily be removed, providing free carboxylic acids as valuable building blocks.

N-Methylated amino acids and peptides with an 8-aminoquinoline (AQ) directing group can be subjected to stereoselective Pd-catalyzed β-functionalizations. The best results are obtained with aryl iodides, but alkyl and alkenyl side chains can also be introduced. The AQ protecting group can easily be removed, providing the free carboxylic acid, which can be used directly in peptide couplings. This protocol was used successfully as a key step in the synthesis of the cyclopeptide alkaloids abyssenine A and mucronine E.

Peptide modification reactions, e.g., via palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations, are useful tools for the synthesis of peptides containing interesting nonproteinogenic amino acids, which are often essential for the biological activity of natural products and drugs. Herein we report the utilization of such modification reactions in the first total synthesis of trapoxin A, a naturally occurring tetrapeptidic histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor.

Ruthenium-catalyzed allylic alkylations are an interesting alternative to palladium-catalyzed processes, since they can provide products which are not accessible under Pd-catalysis. Chiral terminal allylic substrates can be reacted with perfect stereo- and regioretention, and also (Z)-configured allylic substrates can be converted isomerization-free. This allows highly stereoselective modifications of peptides at glycine subunits. The configuration at the α-position of the new generated α-amino acid can be controlled by the chiral peptide chain, and at the β-position by using chiral allylic substrates.

Pd-catalyzed allylations are excellent tools for stereoselective peptide modifications, showing several advantages compared to normal alkylations. Reactions of internal peptide amide enolates with Pd-allyl complexes proceed not only with high yields of up to 86%, they show also high regio- and diastereoselectivities (88-99%), giving rise to the trans-configured products. Therefore, this protocol is a powerful synthetic tool for the synthesis of natural product and drug molecules.

Pd-catalyzed allylations are an excellent tool for stereoselective peptide modifications, being clearly superior to normal alkylations. The reactions proceed not only in high yield, but also high regio- and diastereoselectivities, and trans-products are formed exclusively. Therefore, this is a powerful synthetic tool for natural product and drug synthesis.

A wide range of 5-substituted thiazoles are easily accessible via cross coupling of thiazolyl triflates. These activated thiazoles can be obtained by Ugi reactions using thioacids (thio-Ugi-reaction) and subsequent cyclisation of the endo thiopeptides formed with triflic anhydride. In addition, cyclisations with acyl halides give rise to 5-acyloxysubstituted derivatives.

Deprotonation of peptides in the presence of zinc chloride gives rise to highly reactive nucleophiles that can be subjected to palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation reactions. Excellent diastereoselectivities are obtained that are nearly independent of the allylic substrate used. By using this protocol, highly functionalized side chains can also be incorporated in excellent yields and selectivities. The stereochemical outcome of the reaction is exclusively controlled by the peptide chain as long as terminal pi-allyl-palladium complexes are involved. Probably, there is a threefold coordination, at least, of the deprotonated peptide chain to the chelating zinc ion. In such metal peptide complexes, one face of the generated enolate is shielded by the side chain of the adjacent amino acid, thus directing the electrophilic attack onto the opposite face. This behavior explains why an S amino acid always generates an R amino acid (and the other way round).

Endothiopeptides can easily be obtained via Ugi reaction using thio acids as acid components. If isonitriles with an acetal group are applied, the endothiopeptides can directly be converted into thiazoles using TMSCl-NaI under microwave irradiation.