Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Constructing Cyclic Peptides Using an On-Tether Sulfonium Center
Published on: September 28, 2022
Synthesis of Natural and Unnatural Cyclooligomeric Depsipeptides Enabled by Flow Chemistry
Daniel Lücke1, Toryn Dalton1, Steven V Ley1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
Abstract:
Flow chemistry has been successfully integrated into the synthesis of a series of cyclooligomeric depsipeptides of three different ring sizes including the natural products beauvericin (1 a), bassianolide (2 b) and enniatin C (1 b). A reliable flow chemistry protocol was established for the coupling and macrocyclisation to form challenging N-methylated amides. This flexible approach has allowed the rapid synthesis of both natural and unnatural depsipeptides in high yields, enabling further exploration of their promising biological activity.
Related Concept Videos
Cycloaddition Reactions: Overview
Preparation of Amides
The DCC-promoted synthesis of amides begins with the protonation of DCC by carboxylic acid. The protonation makes it a better acceptor. Next, the addition of carboxylate to the protonated carbodiimide gives a reactive acylating agent.
Subsequently, the amine acts as a nucleophile that attacks the acylating agent to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the...

