C-Terminal Bioconjugation of Peptides through Photoredox Catalyzed Decarboxylative Alkynylation

We report the first decarboxylative alkynylation of the C-terminus of peptides starting from free carboxylic acids. The reaction is fast, metal-free, and proceeds cleanly to afford alkynylated peptides with a broad tolerance for the C-terminal amino acid. By the use of hypervalent iodine reagents, the introduction of a broad range of functional groups was successful. C-terminal selectivity was achieved by differentiation of the oxidation potentials of the carboxylic acids based on the use of fine-tuned organic dyes.