Cyclopropeniminium Ions Exhibit Unique Reactivity Profiles with Bioorthogonal Phosphines

We report a new ligation of cyclopropeniminium ions with bioorthogonal phosphines. Cyclopropeniminium scaffolds are sufficiently stable in biological media and, unlike related isomers, react with functionalized phosphines via formal 1,2-addition to a π-system. The ligation can be performed in aqueous solution and is compatible with existing bioorthogonal transformations. Such mutually compatible reactions are useful for multicomponent labeling.