The discovery and application of ynamide coupling reagents is highlighted with a brief summary of the development history of coupling reagents in amide and peptide synthesis. As novel coupling reagents, ynamides are not only effective for simple amide and dipeptide synthesis but also can be used for peptide fragment condensation. More importantly, no racemization was detected during the activation of α-chiral carboxylic acids by employing ynamide coupling reagents.1 Introduction2 Carbodiimide Coupling Reagents3 Uronium/Guanidinium Salt Coupling Reagents4 Phosphonium Salt Coupling Reagents5 Ethoxyacetylene as a Coupling Reagent6 Ynamine Coupling Reagents7 Ynamide Coupling Reagents8 Summary and Outlook