the cdi coupling reagent
CDI (N,N'-Carbonyldiimidazole) coupling reagent is a versatile and efficient chemical compound widely used in organic synthesis and peptide chemistry. This powerful reagent facilitates the formation of amide bonds by activating carboxylic acids for nucleophilic attack. The reagent works by converting carboxylic acids into highly reactive acylimidazole intermediates, which can then readily react with amines to form stable amide bonds. One of its most significant advantages is the production of only carbon dioxide and imidazole as byproducts, making it environmentally friendly. The CDI coupling reagent demonstrates exceptional stability under normal storage conditions and exhibits high reactivity in various organic solvents. Its applications span across pharmaceutical synthesis, polymer chemistry, and bioconjugation processes. In peptide synthesis, it enables efficient amino acid coupling while maintaining the stereochemical integrity of the reactants. The reagent's versatility extends to the formation of esters, thioesters, and various other chemical bonds, making it an indispensable tool in modern organic chemistry laboratories.