Provided herein are novel alkynyl and azide containing amino acids; kits containing these amino acids; peptides containing these amino acids; peptide macrocycles whose secondary structures are stabilized with linkers containing triazoles synthesized by reacting the side chains of the alkynyl and azide containing amino acids; and methods of making and using the alkynyl and azide containing amino acids, kits, peptides, triazole containing linkers, and peptide macrocycles.