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Dipeptides 3a-g, (3a + 3a'), (3d + 3d'), (3l + 3l')a and tripeptides 6a-e, (6b + 6b'), (6e + 6e') incorporating Z(epsilon)-Lys were prepared in high yields (70-95%) and enantiopurity (> or =97%) in partially aqueous acetonitrile solution by coupling using (i) Z(epsilon)-Lys with N-(Z- and Fmoc-aminoacyl)benzotriazoles 1a-g, (ii) Z(epsilon)-Lys with N-Z-dipeptidoylbenzotriazoles 5a-c, and (iii) N-Fmoc(alpha)-Z(epsilon)-l-Lys-Bt 1h and amino acids 2a,c-e. Unnatural dipeptides 3h-j, (3h + 3h') and tripeptides 6f were similarly prepared from Z(alpha)-Lys. Retention of chirality was demonstrated by parallel experiments involving l-Ala, dl-Ala, l-Met, and dl-Met by NMR and HPLC analysis.

Aspartic and glutamic acids were selectively extended at each of the alternative C-terminals under mild conditions to afford diverse natural and unnatural N-protected dipeptides and tripeptides in yields of 73-96%. The reactions between N-protected (alpha-aminoacyl)benzotriazoles and free amino acids or dipeptides proceeded with complete retention of chirality as supported by parallel experiments involving D-Ala, L-Ala, and DL-Ala in the preparation of dipeptides and tripeptides, monitored by NMR and HPLC analyses.

Diverse N-protected di-(3a-d, 3a + a', 5a-d, 5d + d', and 7a-g) and tripeptides (10a-h) were synthesized under mild reaction conditions in good yields (65-97%) by acylation with 1-(N-protected-alpha-aminoacyl)benzotriazoles of the amino groups of free aspartic and glutamic acids. Complete retention of chirality was demonstrated by parallel experiments involving D-Ala, L-Ala, and DL-Ala for the preparation of dipeptides and tripeptides, and supported by NMR and HPLC analyses.