Solid-phase synthesis of peptides containing alpha,beta-didehydroamino acids

alpha,beta -Didehydroamino acids are frequently encountered in natural pept ides with important biological activity. Herein, we report a mild and conve nient method for the preparation of peptides containing alpha,beta -didehyd roamino acids, where solid-phase techniques are used both for elongation of the peptide chain and formation of the double bond. This bond is formed th rough a beta -elimination reaction, using a water soluble carbodiimide as t he activating reagent of the hydroxyl function, and catalyzed by CuCl.