Selenium(II)‐Nitrogen Exchange (SeNEx) Chemistry: A Good Chemistry Suitable for Nanomole‐Scale Parallel Synthesis, DNA‐encoded Library Synthesis and Bioconjugation

Abstract

The continuous development of click reactions with new connecting linkage is crucial for advancing the frontiers of click chemistry. Selenium‐nitrogen exchange (SeNEx) chemistry, a versatile chemistry in click chemistry, represents an all‐encompassing term for nucleophilic substitution events that replace nitrogen at an electrophilic selenium(II) center, enabling the flexible and efficient assembly of linkages around a Se(II) core. Several SeNEx chemistries have been developed inspired by the biochemical reaction between Ebselen and cysteine residue, and demonstrated significant potential in on‐plate nanomole‐scale parallel synthesis, selenium‐containing DNA‐encoded library (SeDEL) synthesis, as well as peptide and protein bioconjugation. This concept aims to present the origins, advancements, and applications of selenium(II)‐nitrogen exchange (SeNEx) chemistry while also outlining the potential directions for future research in this field.