Biomimetic peptide bond formation in water with aminoacyl phosphate esters

Aminoacyl phosphates, biomimetic analogues of aminoacyl adenylates, react efficiently with amino acid esters to form dipeptides with retention of stereochemical integrity. The reactions are selective and occur readily in the presence of nucleophiles other than amino groups on their side chains. Aminoacyl phosphate esters that lack an amino-protecting group are also suitable for peptide bond formation, leading to a simplified overall process.