Direct Peptide Cyclization and One-Pot Modification Using the MeDbz Linker

The one-pot synthesis and modification of cyclic peptides through a self-cleaving on-resin protocol is described. We apply Dawson's MeDbz linker to achieve direct intramolecular peptide cyclization by thioesterification followed by S -> N acyl shift. This native chemical ligation approach requires no activating additive and allows direct modification of the crude cyclic peptides in one-pot. The strategy was applied to synthesize 5 cyclic peptide natural products of varying ring size. Finally, one-pot modifications include desulfurization, fluorophore conjugation, and intramolecular disulfide formation.