Advances in electrochemical peptide synthesis and modification

To meet demand for bioactive, homogeneously modified peptides for both fundamental research and therapeutic development, synthetic methods that are programmable, broadly applicable and inherently sustainable are urgently needed. The mild reaction conditions and precise tunability of electrochemical transformations provide appealing opportunities to carefully navigate the rich redox-active landscape of canonical and non-canonical amino acid functionalities. Modern technological breakthroughs in synthetic electro-organic chemistry are further expanding capabilities, propelling the field of electrochemical peptide modifications into an era of accelerating innovation. This Review highlights recent advances (2020-present) in electrochemical peptide synthesis and residue-specific modifications in a graphically rich format that emphasizes the expanding diversity of available electrochemical strategies and their broader compatibility with complex peptide substrates. Outstanding challenges and opportunities for further innovation are discussed.