In recent years interest in the development of peptide-based drugs has increased considerably. However, in the development of peptide drugs over coming in vivo instability still presents a significant challenge. Several different strategies have been investigated to try and circumvent this problem but cyclization, either of the peptide backbone or between the N and C terminus, has shown particular promise. This has led us to investigate the potential that amino acids derived from the highly reactive synthetic handle pentafluoropyridine could have in preparing stable cyclic and bi-cyclic peptides. In addition, we are also in the process of exploring the potential applications that new building blocks derived from pentafluoropyridine may have in the related field of peptoid chemistry. In this area, we are particularly interested in investigating if we can use these new building blocks to control the secondary structures of peptoid chains.

Pentafluoropyridine: A useful peptide and peptoid building block

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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