Structure-Selective Modification of Aromatic Side Chains with Dirhodium Metallopeptide Catalysts

The combination of peptide molecular recognition and residue-selective dirhodium catalysis allows modification of aromatic side chains that is selective for coil structures. A rate enhancement of >10(3) relative to nonselective dirhodium modification was observed. The increased reactivity of this approach creates the first selective chemical modification of the phenylalanine residue.