Acetylene--azide click macrocyclization of peptides

This review is focused on the synthesis of peptide macrocycles based on the intramolecular click reaction --- [2+3]-cycloaddition of alkynes and azides giving a 1,2,3-triazole moiety. The importance of this class of macrocyclic peptides and the general approach to the synthesis of these compounds are discussed. The review summarizes published data on these reactions proceeding in the presence of catalysts based on copper(I) and ruthenium(II) salts and thermal cyclization reactions that allow the synthesis of 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles. Special attention is given to the Ugi/click strategy for the synthesis of macrocyclic peptides. This approach is shown to be efficient for the preparation of various macrocycles.

The bibliography includes 111 references.