Prepare 3(S)-amino-δ-valerolactam hydrochloride according to the procedure of J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans., 1987, p. 1127. Combine this lactam (0.29 g,2.0 mmol), 2(S)-acetylthiomethyl-3-(2-methylphenyl)propionic acid (0.50 g,2.0 mmol), triethylamine (0.03 g,3.0 mmol), and HOBT (0.30 g,2.0 mmol) in DMF (20 ml). Add DEC (0.38 g,2.0 mmol). Stir 18 hr, partition between EtOAc and H2O, dry and concentrate. Chromatograph on silica, eluting with 3% MeOH/CH2Cl2 to obtain the title compound as a foam, [α]D26 =-28.6° (EtOH)
