Transition metal-promoted arylation: An emerging strategy for protein bioconjugation

Transition metal-mediated arylation chemistry is emerging as a powerful tool for the selective modification of native peptides and proteins, providing new opportunities in the field of bioconjugation. This highlight paper will summarize recent methodologies for the regio- and chemoselective arylation of select proteinogenic side chains and backbone amide N-H bonds within unprotected peptides and proteins. The importance of the metal-ligand complex in achieving tunable selectivity and the inherent benefits of arylation as a mode of covalent protein modification will be highlighted.