A route to dipeptides containing β-amino-α-hydroxy acid fragments by coupling of N-boc-β-lactams with α-amino esters. Application to the synthesis of (–)-bestatin

Abstract
α-Amino esters are smoothly acylated by N-Boc-3-alkoxy-4-alkyl-β-lactams in DMF under the influence of sodium azide, giving a novel dipeptide coupling reaction.