Reactions that occur under physiological conditions find diverse uses in the chemical and biological sciences. However, the limitations that biological systems place on chemical reactions restrict the number of such bioorthogonal reactions. A profound understanding of the mechanistic principles and structure−reactivity trends of these transformations is therefore critical to access new and improved versions of bioorthogonal chemistry. The present article reviews the mechanisms and substituent effects of some of the principal metal-free bioorthogonal reactions based on inverse-electron demand Diels−Alder reactions, 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, and the Staudinger reaction. Mechanisms of modified versions that link these reactions to a dissociative step are further discussed. The presented summary is anticipated to aid the advancement of bioorthogonal chemistry. CONTENTSReview pubs.acs.org/CR

The isocyano group is a valuable functionality for bioorthogonal reactions because it rapidly reacts with tetrazines to either form stable conjugates or release payloads from 3-isocyanopropyl groups. Here we provide mechanistic insights into the dissociative steps that follow the initial cycloaddition and analyze how structural modifications affect these processes. Three main outcomes of this study have important implications for designing such groups for bioorthogonal applications. First, anion-stabilizing substituents at C-2 of the 3-isocyanopropyl group promote β-elimination and accelerate deprotection. Second, tetrazines with bulky substituents form stable imine conjugates even with primary isonitriles that are otherwise rapidly hydrolyzed. Third, the elimination step is independent from hydrolysis to the aldehyde and instead can occur directly from the imine intermediate. These findings will allow tuning the structures of tetrazine and isonitrile reactants for application in bioorthogonal ligation and release chemistry.

The isocyano group is the structurally most compact bioorthogonal group known. It reacts with tetrazines under physiological conditions and has great potential for widespread use in the biosciences. In this account, we highlight the unique properties of the isocyano group as a bioorthogonal functionality. Protecting group chemistry based on the reaction of isonitriles and tetrazines that allows releasing payloads is a particular focus of the article. We further discuss the atypical steric attractions that take place in the transition state of the reaction between isonitriles and tetrazines, which result in an increase in the rate of the reaction with steric bulk of the tetrazine substituents. These findings will open up new possibilities in bioorthogonal chemistry where reactivity and stability are simultaneously desired.1 Introduction2 The Isocyano Group: A Structurally Compact Group for Bioorthogonal Chemistry3 Bioorthogonal Protecting Group Chemistry4 Steric Attractions in the Transition State Accelerate the Cycloaddition of Isonitriles and Tetrazines5 Reactions of Tetrazines and Isonitriles are Compatible with Biomolecules and Living Organisms6 Conclusions