Aldehyde-mediated bioconjugation via in situ generated ylides

Abstract

A technically simple approach for rapid, high-yielding and site-selective bioconjugation has been developed for both in vitro and cellular applications. This method involves the generation of maleimido-phosphonium ylides via 4-nitrophenol catalysis under physiological conditions followed by their Wittig reactions with aldehyde-appended biomolecules.