Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of a Cyclic Peptide Obtained via i to i+4 Intramolecular Side-Chain to Side-Chain Azide-Alkyne 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition

Intramolecular side-chain to side-chain cyclization is an established approach to achieve stabilization of specific conformations and a recognized strategy to improve resistance toward proteolytic degradation. To this end, cyclizations, which are bioisosteric to the lactam-type side-chain to side-chain modification and do not require orthogonal protection schemes, are of great interest. Herein, we report the employment of CuI-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of side chains modified with azido and alkynyl functions and explore alternative synthetic routes to efficiently generate 1,4-disubstituted  [1,2,3]triazolyl-containing cyclopeptides. The solid-phase assembly of the linear precursor including ϵ-azido norleucine and the propargylglycine (Pra) in positions i and i+4, respectively, was accomplished by either subjecting the resin-bound peptide to selective on-resin diazo transformation of a Lys into the Nle(ϵ-N3) or the incorporation of Fmoc-Nle(ϵ-N3)-OH during the stepwise build-up of the resin-bound ...