Reagents and methods for esterification

Abstract

Methods and reagents for esterification of biological molecules including proteins, polypeptides and peptides. Diazo compounds of formula I: where R is hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl or an alkynyl, RA represents 1-5 substituents on the indicated phenyl ring and RM is an organic group, which includes a label, a cell penetrating group, a cell targeting group, or a reactive group or latent reactive group for reaction to bond to a label, a cell penetrating group, or a cell targeting group, among other organic groups are useful for esterification of biological molecules. Also provided are diazo compounds which are bifunctional and trifunctional coupling reagents as well as reagents for the synthesis of compounds of formula I.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.