Rhodium-Catalyzed Regioselective C3 Functionalization of Tyrosines with Maleimides and Its Late-Stage Peptide Exemplification.

Pyridyloxy-directed Rh(III)-catalyzed regioselective C3-H alkenylation of protected tyrosines was achieved with -aryl and -alkyl maleimides, furnishing a series of maleimide-appended tyrosine-based unnatural amino acids in good yields. Further, the late-stage exemplification of the strategy was successfully accomplished on tyrosine-containing dipeptides, tripeptides, and tetrapeptides in moderate reactivity. Also, the chemical applications of the strategy were successfully executed toward nailing tyrosine with other amino acids via a maleimide linker and intramolecular hydroarylation to produce tyrosine-centered stapled products and succinimide-glued macrocyclized products, respectively.