Light‐Activated Triazabutadienes for the Modification of a Viral Surface

Chemical crosslinking is a versatile tool for the examination of biochemical interactions, in particular host–pathogen interactions. We report the critical first step toward the goal of probing these interactions by the synthesis and use of a new heterobifunctional crosslinker containing a triazabutadiene scaffold. The triazabutadiene is stable to protein conjugation and liberates a reactive aryl diazonium species upon irradiation with 350 nm light. We highlight the use of this technology by modifying the surface of several proteins, including the dengue virus envelope protein.