An efficient method for the solid phase synthesis of 1,6-disubstituted 2,3-
diketopiperazine and 1,4,5-trisubstituted 2,3-diketopiperazine derivatives
is described. The reduction of resin-bound acylated amino acids or resin-bo
und acylated dipeptides, followed by treatment with oxalyldiimidazole, affo
rds the corresponding diketopiperazines in good yield and high purity. This
is an example of a broader approach to the solid phase synthesis of indivi
dual heterocyclic compounds using peptides directly or indirectly as starti
ng materials. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.