Free‐Radical‐Based, Specific Desulfurization of Cysteine: A Powerful Advance in the Synthesis of Polypeptides and Glycopolypeptides

Abstract

Being specific: The specific conversion of Cys (seleno-Cys) into Ala by a free-radical-mediated reduction can be achieved in an aqueous medium under mild conditions (see scheme, PG=protecting group). The conversion can be achieved in the presence of all 20 natural amino acids as well as a range of functional groups. This native chemical ligation followed by the Cys into Ala conversion will enable the synthesis of complex peptides and glycopeptides.