Synthesis of (Z)-alkene-containing cis-proline dipeptide mimetics using samarium(II) diiodide (SmI2)-mediated reductive alkylation reaction

The amide bond between an amino acid and proline can take the trans- or cis-conformation. The conformation influences both the structure and function of peptides and proteins. Therefore, constrained mimetic, which corresponds to Pro-dipeptides whose amide bond is replaced with an (E)- or (Z)-alkene, is a useful bioprobe for elucidating the structure-function relationship of peptides and proteins. Herein, we report the synthesis of cis-(Z)-alkene-containing Pro-dipeptide mimetics via a samarium(II) diiodide (SmI₂)-mediated reductive alkylation reaction.