Straightforward synthesis of non-natural chalcogen peptides via ring opening of aziridines

The synthesis of new chiral non-natural seleno-, thio-, and telluro-peptides is described herein. These new compounds were prepared through simple and brief synthetic route, from inexpensive and commercially available amino acids. The products, possessing a highly modular character, were obtained in good to excellent yields (50–96%), via ring opening of aziridines with chalcogenolate anions, generated using indium(I) iodide as a reducing agent.