An improved protocol for the SmI2-promoted C-alkylation of peptides: degradation and functionalization of serine residues in linear and cyclic peptides

The utility of the samarium diiodide promoted C-alkylation of peptides for the introduction of new side chains on peptide strands is dramatically enhanced by the initial oxidative degradation of serine residues in small peptides. In this way, cyclic peptides may also be included in this repertoire as a method for the preparation of peptide libraries.