PEPTIDES

Abstract: Acyclic undecapeptides which correspond to a cyclosporin cleaved between positions 1 and 11, or such undecapeptides in which one or more of the terminal amino or methylamino and carboxy groups is in derivative form are of therapeutic value in various contexts in which the cyclosporins are used, for example as anti-bacterial agents and particularly as immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory agents. A particular group of such undecapeptides has the formula (I) H-A₁-A₂-A₃-A₄-A₅-A₆-A₇-A₈-A₉-A₁₀-A₁₁-OH (I) in which A1 is either derived from 2-carboxyazetidine, 2-carboxy­ pyrrolidine or 2-carboxypiperidine, which may optionally be substituted on a ring carbon atom other than that at position 2 by an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group and/or by an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group, or is an amino acid residue wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, X represents an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group, R represents hydrogen or an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group and R′ represents hydrogen or a methyl group; A2 is an amino acid residue -NH- -CO- wherein R₁ is an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group, for example of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted at the C₁ position of the group R₁ by an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group; A₃ is a sarcosine residue; A₄ is an N-methyl-leucine residue; A₅ is a valine residue; A₆ is an N-methyl-leucine residue; A₇ is a alanine residue; A₈ is an alanine residue; A₉ is an N-methyl-leucine residue; A₁₀ is an N-methyl-leucine or sarcosine residue; and A₁₁ is an N-methylvaline residue; or such an acyclic undecapeptide in which one or more of the terminal amino or methylamino and carboxy groups and any amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group present in A₁ or A₂ is in derivative form.

Description: The present invention relates to peptides, their production and their use for therapy. The cyclosporins comprise a group of cyclic, poly-N-methylated undecapeptides having valuable therapeutic properties, particularly as immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory agents although it has been suggested that they may also be useful in the treatment of schistosomiasis (Bueding et al , Agents and Actions II, 1981, 380), diabetes (Stiller et al , Science, 1984, 223 , 1362) and AIDS (Walgate, Nature, 1985, 318 , 3). Cyclosporin analogs modified at the 1-position are described in D.H. Rich et al., J.Med. Chem., 1986, 29, 978-984. Although syntheses of cyclosporins have been reported from acyclic undecapeptides there has never been any suggestion that such acyclic compounds possessed any cyclosporin-like or any other therapeutic properties. The present invention relates to a group of novel acyclic undecapeptides in which the sequence of amino acid residues is arranged in a different sense from that of the acyclic undecapeptides of the art and which are of interest both as intermediates for the preparation of the corresponding cyclic undecapeptides and also for their own therapeutic properties. Accordingly the present invention comprises an acyclic undecapeptide which corresponds to a cyclosporin cleaved between positions 1 and 11, or such an undecapeptide in which one or more of the terminal amino or methylamino and carboxy groups is in derivative form. Examples of undecapeptides according to the present invention are known cyclosporins which have been cleaved between positions 1 and 11, and derivatives thereof as discussed herein. A preferred group of acyclic undecapeptides according to the present invention has the formula (I) H-A₁-A₂-A₃-A₄-A₅-A₆-A₇-A₈-A₉-A₁₀-A₁₁-OH (I) in which A₁ is either derived from 2-carboxypyrrolidine (proline), which may optionally be substituted on a ring carbon atom other than that at position 2 by an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group and/or by an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group, or is an amino acid residue wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, X represents an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group, R represents hydrogen or an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group, for example of 1 to 10 and particularly of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and R' represents hydrogen or a methyl group; A₂ is an amino acid residue wherein R₁ is an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group, for example of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted at the C₁ position of the group R₁ by an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group; A₃ is a sarcosine residue; A₄ is an N-methyl-leucine residue; A₅ is a valine residue; A₆ is an N-methyl-leucine residue; A₇ is an alanine residue; A₈ is an alanine residue; A₉ is an N-methyl-leucine residue; A₁₀ is an N-methyl-leucine or sarcosine residue; and A₁₁ is an N-methylvaline residue; or such an acyclic undecapeptide in which one or more of the terminal amino or methylamino and carboxy groups and any amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group present in A₁ or A₂ has been derivatised as discussed below. Preferences among the various residues constituting the undecapeptide (I) are as follows. The residue A₁ may conveniently contain a group (CH₂) n X wherein n is 0 or particularly 1 and X is an amino (especially when n is 1) or a hydroxy group (especially when n is 0) and may conveniently contain a group R which is hydrogen or a C₁₋₆ alkyl or alkenyl group, for example an isopropyl, ethyl or particularly a methyl group, or especially a 1-methylpentyl or preferably a 1-methylpent-3-enyl group. Preferred groups A₁ of the type R'HN-CH(CHR(CH₂) n X)-CO- thus have a group R' which is methyl or hydrogen, a group (CH₂) n X which is hydroxy or aminomethyl, and a group R which is 1-methylpentyl or 1-methylpent-3-enyl (especially when (CH₂) n X is hydroxy and R is methyl) or hydrogen (especially when (CH₂) n X is amino or aminomethyl and R′ is hydrogen). In addition to such preferred residues A₁ of the type R′HN-CH(CHR(CH₂) n X)-CO- the residues derived from heterocyclic amino acids are also of particular interest. The residues containing a 6-membered or particularly a 5-membered ring system are of most interest and these may conveniently be substituted by an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group, particularly the last mentioned of these. Such substitution is of particular interest at the ring carbon atoms alpha and beta to that carrying the carboxy group. The ring may be substituted by an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group (for example as described for R), more often in conjunction with substitution by an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group and such substitution is again of most interest on the ring carbon atoms beta or particularly alpha to that carrying the carboxy group, and may conveniently be on the same carbon atom as that carrying an amino, ethylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group. Preferred residues A1 of this type are 3- and 4-hydroxy-2-carboxypiperidyl and especially 3- and 4-hydroxypropyl (in either the cis or the trans configuration). The residue A₂ may conveniently contain a group R₁ which is a C₁₋₆ alkenyl or particularly a C₁₋₆ alkyl group. Examples of such groups are isobutyl, isopropyl and methyl, and particularly n-butyl, n-propyl and ethyl. R₁ may also conveniently by a C₁₋₆ alkenyl or particularly a C₁₋₆ alkyl group substituted at the C₁ position thereof, particularly by a hydroxy group. Examples of such groups are any of those alkyl groups just specifically described for unsubstituted groups R₁ but carrying a C₁ hydroxy group substituent, for instance 1-hydroxylpropyl and 1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl and especially hydroxymethyl and particularly 1-hydroxyethyl. A₁₀ may conveniently be an N-methyl-leucine residue. As regards derivativisation of groups in the undecapeptide, these derivatives may be of various forms including urethane derivatives of amino and methylamino groups, hydrazide, amide and particularly ester derivatives of carboxy groups, ester and ether derivatives of hydroxy groups and benzyl and sulphityl derivatives of mercapto groups. In addition, an amino or methylamino group may be present in derivatised form as an acyl group R''CONH- or R''CONCH₃-, or R''SO₂NH- or R''SO₂NCH₃-, particularly one in which R'' is hydrogen or an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group such as C₁₋₆ alkyl and especially methyl as opposed to a cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon or a heterocyclic or hydrocarbon aromatic group such as phenyl or substituted phenyl. Specific examples of such groups R'' are formyl and acetyl. It may be stated however that the derivatives of most interest are those in which one or more of the various groups referred to hereinbefore are substituted by a protecting group conventionally used in peptide chemistry, for example benzyloxy- carbonyl, t-butyloxycarbonyl and 9-fluorenyl-methoxycarbonyl groups for the protection of amino and methylamino groups (as well as acyl groups), and the formation of t-butyl esters (and ethers in the latter case) for the protection of carboxy groups and hydroxy groups. Another form of derivativisation involves the formation of salts, particularly salts with a physiologically acceptable acid or base for in vivo use of the compounds, for example salts formed between an amino or methylamino group and an acid such as hydrochloric acid, methane sulphonic acid, isethionic acid, tartaric acid and other solubilising acids and salts formed between the carboxy group and a base such as an alkali metal hydroxide, for example sodium hydroxide, quaternary ammonium hydroxides and amines such as tris (tris represents 2-amino-2-hydroxymethylpropane 1,3-diol). Yet a further form of derivativisation involves the formation of a heavy metal complex. It will be appreciated that when such derivatives are employed in pharmaceutical compositions, as opposed to their other use as intermediates for the preparation of the non-derivatised acyclic undecapeptides, they may in some cases exhibit an effect by behaving as a prodrug which releases the corresponding non-derivatised compound in vivo . The term 'derivatised' is to be understood as representing these various possibilities. As regards the stereochemistry of the compounds, certain configurations of the various residues are preferred. Thus, residues A₁ to A₇ and A₉ to A₁₁ are conveniently of the L-configuration at the alpha carbon atom, whilst residue A₈ is conveniently of the D-configuration. In residue A₁ the asymmetric carbon atom of the group CHR(CH₂) n X may be of either configuration but is preferably of the L-configuration and in one of the preferred cases where R is a 1-methylpentyl or 1-methylpent-3-enyl group as shown below (X' being -CH₂-CH₂- or -CH=CH-) the relative configurations of A₁ at (a), (b) and (c) are preferably S,R,R although other stereochemistries (S,R,S and S,S,R) in which position (a) is S(L) may be considered as may the R,S,S configuration. When X′ is -CH=CH- the arrangement of the double bond is conveniently trans. It will be appreciated that when the residue A1 contains a substituted heterocyclic ring system the amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group may be cis or particularly trans to the residue of the carboxy group at the 2-position of the ring and where the ring is also substituted by an aliphatic hydrocarbon group further possibilities for isomerism will exist. Examples of specific compounds according to the present invention include the compound (II) and derivatives thereof (all residues being of the L-configuration at the alpha carbon atom except where otherwise indicated and the full configuration of (Me)Bmt being S,R,R) as well as variations of (II) in which (Me)Bmt is replaced by the START dihydro version thereof, by (Me)Ser, (Me)Thr, (Me)Cys, Dab, Dpr or Hyp (or its 3-hydroxy equivalent) and/or in which Abu is replaced by Thr, Nva, Nle, Ser, Ala or Val, and derivatives thereof. The abbreviations used in identifying the amino acids from which the residues are derived in (II) and variations thereof are as follows (Me in brackets indicating the N-methyl derivative of the amino acid): Bmt : (4R)-4-but-2E-en-1-yl-4-methyl-threonine Abu : 2-aminobutyric acid Sar : sarcosine Val : valine Leu : leucine Ala : alanine Ser : serine Thr : threonine Cys : cysteine Dab : 2,4-diaminobutyric acid Dpr : 2,3-diaminopropionic acid Hyp : 4-hydroxyproline Nva : norvaline Nle : norleucine Peptides according to the present invention are conveniently obtained by synthesis, for example by one of the various general methods of peptide synthesis which are described in the literature of peptide chemistry. Such methods generally involve the building up of the peptide from either the N- or more usually the C- terminus thereof either with single amino acids or with peptides containing a group of amino acids, the terminus of the added amino acid or peptide which it is desired should not react being protected by a group which is removed prior to the subsequent addition of the next amino acid or peptide and at least one of the reacting terminii often being in activated form. It may also be necessary to protect certain additional reactive groups in some amino acids or peptides to prevent reaction occuring at these groups during the synthesis. A preferred approach involves a synthesis, of either the solid phase or preferably the classical type, which builds up the undecapeptide starting from H-A₁₁-OH and successively adding peptides or preferably single amino acids thereto. By this means an octapeptide H-A₄-A₅-A₆-A₇-A₈-A₉-A₁₀-A₁₁-OH and then a nonapeptide H-A₃-A₄-A₅-A₆-A₇-A₈-A₉-A₁₀-A₁₁-OH are obtained, in which A₃ to A₁₁ are as defined above with A₁₀ being a sarcosine or particularly an N-methyl-leucine residue, and the nonapeptide may then be used as an intermediate for the preparation of a range of decapeptides H-A₂-A₃-A₄-A₅-A₆-A₇-A₈-A₉-A₁₀-A₁₁-OH containing a variety of residues A₂ and then of a range of undecapeptides containing a variety of residues A₁ and A₂ as defined above, the nonapeptide being reacted successively with the two remaining amino acids to give the undecapeptide via the decapeptide or with a dipeptide H-A₁-A₂-OH to give the undecapeptide directly. These octapeptides, nonapeptides and decapeptides, including those in derivative form, for example as discussed hereinbefore, are therefore included by the present invention for their value as intermediates in the preparation of the undecapeptides and also by virtue of their potential as alternative biologically active compounds to the undecapeptides possessing similar properties thereto. When utilised for the latter purpose these peptides may be formulated and administered as described hereinafter for the undecapeptides. Specific examples of octapeptides, nonapeptides and decapeptides are given in the Examples and also include the corresponding deprotected compounds, for example H-Sar(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-(D)Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH and H-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-(D)Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH. In building up the peptides the diphenylphosphinic acid mixed anhydride coupling method may conveniently be used in conjunction, for example, with N-terminal protection by a benzyloxycarbonyl group and carboxy and hydroxy group protection by a tertiary butyl group. The procedures employed utilise conventional techniques of peptide chemistry and are illustrated in the Examples. Derivatives may be formed by the use of conventional procedures described in the art, for example using standard reagents for the insertion of conventional protecting groups and by reaction with acids or bases to form salts and with heavy metal halides to form complexes. It has been found that the addition of successive amino acids or peptides in the form of the mixed anhydride with diphenyl-phosphinic acid is of particular value for the synthesis of peptides containing amino acids in which the nitrogen atom is substituted by a methyl group (or other aliphatic hydrocarbon group, for example one as described hereinbefore). The presence of a number of N-methylated amino acids among the residues A₁ to A₁₁ makes this technique of especial applicability in the synthesis of the octa-, nona-, deca- and undeca-peptides of the present invention. The technique has been found to result in very low levels of racemisation of the N-substituted amino acids as compared with other coupling procedures and generally to give particularly high yields of pure products. The present invention thus includes a method for the coupling of a first amino acid N-substituted by an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or a first peptide containing such an amino acid, particularly at the C-terminus thereof, with a second amino acid or a second peptide in which the first acid or peptide is reacted in the form of a diphenylphosphinic acid mixed anhydride thereof with the amino group of the second amino acid or the terminal amino group of the second peptide. In such a method reactive groups such as the amino group of the first amino acid or the terminal amino group of the first peptide and the carboxy group of the second amino acid or the terminal carboxy group of the second peptide, and other free amino, carboxy and hydroxy groups, etc., will usually be in protected form. The peptides according to the present invention may be formulated for use as pharmaceuticals for both veterinary and particularly human use by a variety of methods. For instance, they may be applied as a composition, for example an aqueous, oily or emulsified composition incorporating a liquid diluent which may often be employed in injectable form for parenteral administration and therefore may conveniently be sterile and pyrogen free. Oral administration may however also be used. Although compositions incorporating a liquid diluent may be used for oral administration, it is more usual to use compositions incorporating a solid carrier, for example a conventional solid carrier material such as starch, lactose, dextrin or magnesium stearate. Such solid compositions may conveniently be of a formed type, for example as tablets, capsules (including spansules), etc. Other forms of administration than by injection or through the oral route may also be considered in both human and veterinary contexts, for example the use of suppositories or pessaries. Another form of pharmaceutical composition is one for buccal or nasal administration or alternatively drops for administration into the eye which may conveniently contain a sterile diluent. Compositions may be formulated in unit dosage form, i.e. in the form of discrete portions containing a unit dose, or a multiple or sub-unit of a unit dose. The undecapeptides of the present invention are of interest for use in various contexts in which the cyclosporins are used, for example as anti-bacterial agents or more particularly as immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory agents, for example in organ transplantation and in the treatment of auto-immune disease and of rheumatoid arthritis. Being acyclic, the compound are more readily synthesised than the cyclic cyclosporins. Moreover, the compounds are of especial interest as potentially possessing an advantageous spectrum of activity as compared with the known cyclosporins. Thus, the known cyclosporins tend to exhibit disadvantageous effects in addition to the beneficial ones. There is therefore a need for compounds in which the beneficial effects are enhanced and/or the undesirable effects are reduced, which result can be achieved, inter alia , from an ability to use a compound at a lower dosage rate at which the former effects are substantially maintained whilst the latter are reduced. Whilst dosage levels may depend on the intended use, the mode of formulation and the particular compound (I) which is being used, it may be stated by way of guidance that a daily dose in the range of 1 to 100 or 500, particularly 20 to 80 mg/kg body weight is often appropriate, repeated if necessary in a daily regimen and/or in several separate treatments. It will be appreciated however that dosages above 500 mg/kg or especially below 1 mg/kg may be used where appropriate. In particular, dosage levels of as low as 0.1 or even 0.01 mg/kg may be considered, coupled with a preferred range of dosage of 0.1 to 10 mg/kg, for example 1 to 10 mg/kg, there being suggestions from in vitro data that the compounds may be of value at quite low doses. The present invention thus includes a method of treating bacterial infections, inflammation or conditions requiring immunosuppressive treatment in patients which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound (I) as defined hereinbefore. The invention is illustrated by the following Examples of which Examples 1 and 2 relate to the synthesis of the same N- and C-terminally protected octapeptide by different routes, Example 3 relates to an N- and C-terminally protected nonapeptide and Example 4 to the same nonapeptide in C-terminally protected form. Examples 5 to 8 relate to N- and C-terminally protected decapeptides and Examples 9 to 12 relate to the same group of decapeptides in C-terminally protected form, Examples 13 to 23 relate to N- and C-terminally protected undecapeptides and Examples 24 to 42 relate to N-terminally protected and N- and C-terminally deprotected undecapeptides. EXAMPLES Solvents were dried and distilled prior to use, THF and DMF dried over CaH₂, the latter being distilled in vacuo , and stored over molecular sieves type 5A. Liquid chromatography separation was performed on a silica gel column using Kieselgel (60-230 mesh ASTM) with a variety of solvent systems. Hplc was carried out using a Spectra Physics SP8700 fitted with a 25 x 0.46 cm ODS Chromopak C18 column eluting with CH₃CN/H₂O gradients at a flow rate of 1.5 cm³/min. Gel filtration was carried out using Sephadex LH20 or Sephadex G10 eluting with DMF and water respectively. Fractions were monitored by uv absorbance at 280 nmm (Unicord III) or by optical rotation (Thorn-Bendix 143D polarimeter). In some cases column eluant was also monitored by hplc at 230 nm. Melting points were recorded on a Kofler block and are uncorrected. Optical rotations were measured on a Bendix type 153 automatic polarimeter (1 cm cell) using the sodium D line. I.R. spectra were determined using sodium chloride cells or rock salt flat plates on a Perkin Elmer 1320 spectrometer. ¹H N.m.r. spectra were recorded either on a Perkin Elmer R34 (220 MHz) or a Bruker WM250 (250 MHz) spectrometer. (The proton signals are assigned to the groups to which they are believed to correspond.) Mass spectra were recorded on a VG 7070E spectrometer using E.I., C.I., DCI and FAB (electron impact, chemical ionisation, direct chemical ionisation and fast atom bombardment, respectively) as ionisation systems. The following standard abbreviations are used in the Examples: THF = tetrahydrofuran; DMF = dimethylformamide; DppCl = diphenylphosphinic acid; NMM = N-methylmorpholine; EtoAc = ethylacetate; DCM = dichloromethane; NB = nitrobenzyl; Z = benzyloxycarbonyl; Bu t = tertiary butyl; DMAP = 4-dimethylaminopyridine. The various protected amino acids used as intermediates in the Examples are prepared as follows. (1) N-Z protected, C-unprotected, N-unmethylated amino acids The protected amino acids Z-Val-OH, Z-D-Ala-OH, Z-Ala-OH, Z-Sar-OH and Z-Abu-OH were prepared from the corresponding unprotected amino acids by the methods of Bergmann et al , Ber., 1932, 65 , 1192 and Carter et al , "Organic Synthesis", ed Horning, J. Wiley, New York, 1955, 3 , 167. (2) N-Z protected, C-unprotected, N-methylated amino acids Z-(Me)-Leu-OH and Z-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-OH were prepared from the corresponding N-Z protected, C-unprotected amino acids by the method of Cheung et al, Con.J.Chem. 1973, 51 , 1915. (3) N-Z protected, C-t-butylated, N-methylated amino acids Z-(Me)Leu-OBu t and Z-(Me)Val-OBu t were prepared from the corresponding N-Z protected, C-unprotected, N-methylated amino acids using the method of Anderson, J.Am.Chem.Soc., 1960, 82 , 3359 and Roeske, Chem.Ind., 1959, 1221. (4) H-(Me)Leu-OBu t and H-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-(Me)Leu-OBu t and Z-(Me)Val-OBu t were each dissolved in methanol and hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst for twenty-four hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to give an oil which was subsequently purified by fractional distillation under (0.5 mmHg) to give the title compound in each case as an oil of b.p. 48°C (yield 71%) and 44°C (yield 89%) respectively. (5) Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-OH Z-Ser(Bu t )-OH (12 g, 407 mM) and methyl iodide (20 cm³, 320 mM) were dissolved in freshly distilled THF (120 cm³) at 0°C, and sodium hydride dispersion (5.28 g, 120 mM) was added cautiously with gentle stirring. The suspension, protected from the atmosphere by a drying tube was stirred at 4°C for seventy hours and the reaction worked-up in the usual way. The title compound was obtained as an oil (12.07 g, 96%); [α]²⁵ - 4.1° (c 1.2, CH₃OH). (6) Fmoc-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-OH 10% Na₂CO₃ (5 cm³) was added to a solution of H-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-OH (2 g, 10.5 mM) in water, followed by dioxan (16 cm³). The mixture was cooled to 0°C and Fmoc.Cl (2.7 g, 10.5 mM) added over a period of forty minutes, while maintaining the pH at 8.7, by addition of 10% Na₂CO₃. The ice-bath was removed half an hour after the addition of Fmoc.Cl was completed, after which time it was poured into water (500 cm³). After washing with ether (x 3) the aqueous layer was cooled and acidified with 1M KHSO₄, extracted into EtOAc, washed with water and brine. Solvent evaporation gave a foam which was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc/CH₂Cl₂ 1:8. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions afforded the title compound as a white foam (2 g 45%); m.p., 44 - 46°C; [α]²⁰ + 12.8° (c 1, CH₃OH). (7) Boc-Dab(Fmoc)-OH (a) H-Dab(Fmoc)-OH Cupric sulphate (1.4 g, 5.5 mM) in (5.5 cm³) water was added to a stirred solution of H-Dab-OH.2HCl (2 g, 0.5 mM) and NaOH (0.8 g, 0.02 mM) in water (44 cm³), and the resulting mixture stirred for one hour. 9-Fluorenyl succinimide carbonate (3.2 g) was then added dropwise with vigorous stirring and the resulting mixture stirred at room temperature for three days. The precipitate resulting was filtered, washed with water and dried. Excess ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt was then added to one litre of boiling water, and the suspension kept at boiling point for ten minutes. The product was filtered, washed with water and dried in high vacuo over phosphorus pentoxide, (3.4 g, 94%), m.p., 166°C. (b) Boc-Dab(Fmoc)-OH H-Dab-(Fmoc)-OH (3.4 g, 0.01 mM) was added to a solution of Na₂CO₃ (0.7 g) in water (5.1 cm³) and dioxan/water (20 cm³/9.9 cm³) and stirred with cooling (ice-salt bath). Di-tert-butyl carbonate (2.4 g, 11 mM) was then added and the mixture stirred at 0°C for one hour and room temperature for twenty-two hours. Dioxane was then evaporated and the residue basified to pH 10 with aqueous Na₂CO₃. After extraction into EtOAc, to remove excess di-tert-butyl carbonate, the aqueous layer was acidified with 1M KHSO₄. Extraction into EtOAc, washing the organic layer with water and brine, drying (MgSO₄) and solvent evaporation gave a white solid. This was recrystallised from Et₂O to give the title compound (2.2 g, 50%); m.p., 79-80°C; [α]²⁰ - 12.7° (c 1, CH₃OH). (8) Z-Hyp(Bu t )-OH (a) Z-Hyp(Bu t )-ONB Isobutylene (660 cm³) and concentrated H₂SO₄ (6.6 cm³) were added to a solution of Z-Hyp(OH)-ONB (65 g, 0.16 mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (660 cm³). The butylation vessel was stoppered and the reaction mixture gently stirred for five days. The product was then washed with water and brine, after addition of 2M Na₂CO₃ (50 ml). Solvent evaporation gave a yellow oil, (30 g, 41%); [α]²⁰ - 18.3° (c, 1.2, CH₃OH). (9) Z-Hyp(Bu t )-OH 2M NaOH (778 cm³) was added to a solution of Z-Hyp(Bu t )-ONB (30 g. 0.07M) in acetone (527 cm³) and water (132 cm³), and the mixture stirred at room temperature for two and a half hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue washed with ether. The aqueous layers were cooled and acidified with 1M KHSO₄, and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was then washed with water and brine and dried over Na₂SO₄. Solvent evaporation gave a solid, which was recrystallised from ether/petroleum-ether, to give the title compound (18 g, 86%); m.p., 76-78°C; [α]²⁰ - 29.1° (c 1, CH₃OH). The following general procedures were employed in the Examples. General tert-butylation of C-terminal carboxyl group and hydroxy side chain of amino acids The N-benzyloxycarbonyl-N-methyl amino acid (0.21 mol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (300 cm³), in a pressure vessel containing concentrated H₂SO₄ (5 cm³). The butylation vessel was cooled to -40 to -60°C, and condensed isobutylene gas (450 cm³) was added with gentle stirring. The vessel was then sealed and the reaction mixture stirred at room temperature for five days. The vessel was cooled to -10°C, the seal removed and excess isobutylene allowed to evaporate. The solution was allowed to reach 0°C and then brought to pH 9 with sodium carbonate (25 g/150 cm³ H₂O). The solvent was removed by evaporation and the oily residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed successively with 1M NaHCO₃, and water and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. Solvent evaporation gave the tert-butylated product which was generally purified by silica gel chromatography using a variety of solvent systems. Coupling using the diphenylphosphinic mixed anhydride method A solution of the N -protected amino acid (1.1. equiv.) and NMM (2 equiv.) in THF (2.4 mM/cm³) was cooled to -20°C and DppCl (1.1 equiv.) added. The reaction mixture was stirred for ten to twenty minutes at -20°C and a pre-cooled solution of the amino component (1 equiv.) in THF (2.4 mM/cm³) added. The suspension was stirred for one to two hours at -20°C and at ambient temperature for 24-48 hours. The solvent was evaporated and the residue taken up into ethyl acetate, washed successively with brine, 1M KHSO₄, 1M NaHCO₃ and water. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to give a residual oil or solid containing trace amounts of diphenyl phosphinic acid. Products were generally purified by silica gel chromatography using a variety of solvent systems. Example 1 : Z-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)VAl-OBu t (1) Z-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-OH (a) Z-Val-(Me)Leu-OBu t Z-Val-OH (36.84 g, 0.14 mM) in THF (60 cm³) was activated with DppCl (34.9 g, 0.14 mM) in THF (60 cm³) and NMM (18.7 cm³, 0.14 mM) and coupled with H-(Me)Leu-OBu t (24.3 g, 0.12 mM) in THF (60 cm³) according to the general procedure. The mixture was stirred at -20°C for one hour and room temperature for twenty-four hours. The solvent was evaporated and the residue worked up as described in the general method, final purification on silica gel eluting with EtOAc/DCM (1/2) gave the title compound (51.2 g, 91%), m.p., 54-56°C, [α]²³ - 67° (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₂₄H₃₈N₂O₅ : C, 66.33; H, 8.81; N, 6.45. Found: C, 66.36; H, 8.98; N, 6.46%; δH (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.91 (6H, m, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.02 (6H, m, β-CH₃ Val), 1.45 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.51 - 1.70 (2H, m, β-CH₂, (Me)Leu), 1.91 - 2.10 (2H, m, β-CH, Val, -CH, (Me)Leu), 3.05 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 4.51 - 4.61 (1H, m, α-CH, Val), 5.08 (2H, s, PhC H ₂), 5.21 - 5.30 (1H, m, α-CH(Me)Leu), 5.63 (1H, d, N-H, Val) and 7.37 (5H, s, ArH), m/z ( M ⁺, DCI), R t 12.2 min. (b) H-Val-(Me)Leu-OBu t Z-Val-(Me)Leu-OBu t (38 g, 85 mM) in methanol (150 cm³) was hydrogenolysed over 10% Pd/C (5 g) at atmospheric pressure for twenty-four hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the solvent evaporated to give a white foam (22.5 g, 93%), [α]²² - 25.3°, (c 1.0, CH₃OH); δ H (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.88 - 1.09 (12H, m, CH₃, (Me)Leu, β-CH₃, Val), 1.45 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.63 - 1.92 (3H, m, β-CH₂, -CH, (Me)Leu), 2.47 (1H, m, β-CH, Val), 2.97 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 3.80 (1H, m, α-C-H, Val), 5.38 (1H, t, α-C-H(Me)Leu), and 7.29 (2H, br., -N H ₂), m/z 300 ( M ⁺, DCI). (c) Z-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-OBu t Z-(Me)Leu-OH (23.3 g, 84 mM) in THF (30 cm³) was activated using DppCl (19.9 g, 84 mM) in THF (30 cm³) and NMM (9.36 cm³, 84 mM) and coupled to H-Val-(Me)Leu-OBu t (21 g, 70 mM) in THF (20 cm³) according to the general coupling procedure, being stirred at -20°C for one hour and at room temperature for twenty-four hours. The residue, after solvent evaporation was worked-up as described in the general method and purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc (3:1). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave (4) as a colourless oil, (33.2 g, 85%), [α]²³ - 93.4° (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₃₁H₅₁N₃O₆ : C, 66.26; H, 9.15; N, 7.48. Found: C, 66.53; H, 9.25; N, 7.59%; δ H (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.69 - 1.12 (18H, m, -CH₃(Me)Leu, β-CH₃Val), 1.33 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.64 - 1.91 (6H, m, β-CH₂, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.05 (1H, m, β-C-H, (Me)Val), 2.87 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 3.03 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 4.71 - 4.79 (1H, m, α-CH Val), 5.15 - 5.25 (4H, m, PhC H ₂, α-CH (Me)Leu), 6.61 - 6.70 (1H, br.s., N-H Val), and 7.38 (5H, s, Ar H ), m/z 561 ( M ⁺, DCI), R t 13.0 min. (2) Z-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (a) Z-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-(Me)Leu-OH (22.26 g, 84 mM) in THF (25 cm³) was activated with NMM (9.36 cm³, 84 mM) and DppCl (19.92 g, 84 mM) in THF (25 cm³), and coupled with H-(Me)Val-OBu t (13.09 g, 70 mM) in THF (25 cm³), according to the general procedure, being stirred at -20°C for one hour and at room temperature for twenty-four hours. Solvent evaporation gave a residue which was washed in the usual way, the resulting oil being purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc/DCM (1:2). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a colourless oil (31.43 g, 81%), [α]²³ - 141.8° (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for: C₂₆H₄₂N₂O₅ : C, 66.90; H, 9.00; N, 9.25. Found: C, 66.60; H, 9.05; N, 9.08; δ H (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.68 - 1.10 (12H, m, β-CH₃ (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.42 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.59 - 1.82 (3H, m, β-CH₂, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.20 (1H, m, β-C-H (Me)Val), 2.91 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 2.82 - 3.02 (3H, 2s, N-CH₃ Conf.), 4.29 - 4.80 (1H, d x d, α-CH (Me)Val), 5.02 (1H, m, α-CH (Me)Leu), 5.25 (2H, s, PhC H ₂), and 7.61 (5H, s, Ar H ), m/z 448 ( M ⁺, DCI), R t 12.2 min. (b) H-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (17.92 g, 0.04 mM) in methanol (100 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst (1 g) at atmospheric pressure, for twenty-four hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the solvent evaporated to give the title compound as an oily foam (11.07 g, 90%), [α]²³ - 123.6° (c 1.0, CH₃OH), δH (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.84 - 1.10 (12H, m, β-CH₃ (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.26 (3H, m, β-CH₂, -CH (Me)Leu), 1.42 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.91 (1H, m, β-C-H (Me)Val), 2.29 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 2.60 (1H, br.s., NH), 3.02 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 3.47 - 3.58 (1H, d x d, α-C-H), and 3.80 - 4.9 (1H, d x d, α-C-H); m/z 314 ( M ⁺, DCI). (c) Z-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-(Me)Leu-OH (10.04 g, 36 mM) in THF (10 cm³) was activated with DppCl (8.52 g, 36 mM) in THF (10 cm³) and NMM (4.08 cm³, 36 mM) and coupled with H-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (9.42 g, 30 mM) in THF (10 cm³) by the general DppCl method. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for two hours and at room temperature for twenty-four hours and worked-up as described in the general procedure. The residue obtained was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with EtOAc/DCM (1:2). Solvent evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a sticky white foam (14.85 g, 83%), [α]²³ - 173.5° (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for: C₃₂H₅₃N₃O₆: C, 66.73; H, 9.28; N, 7.29. Found: C, 66.86; H, 9.41; N, 7.53%; δ H (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.73 - 1.09 (18H, m, β-CH₃ (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.48 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.23 - 1.87 (6H, m, β-CH₂, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.18 (1H, m, β-CH (Me)Val), 2.82 - 2.85 (3H, s, N-CH₃ Conf.), 2.87 (8H, 2s, NCH₃), 4.15 - 4.76 (1H, d x d, α-CH (Me)Val), 5.03 (1H, t, α-CH (Me)Leu), 5.21 (2H, s, PhC H ₂), 5.56 (1H, t, α-CH (Me)Leu), and 7.34 (5H, s, Ar H ); m/z 576 (M+1, FAB), R t 13.6 min. (d) H-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (11.52 g, 20 mM) in methanol (100 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst for twenty-four hours. The solution, after removal of the catalyst by filtration, was evaporated to give the title compound as a sticky foam (7.84 g, 89%); δH (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.74 - 1.14 (18H, m, β-CH₃ (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.45 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.52 - 1.94 (6H, m, β-CH₂, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.19 (1H, m, β-CH (Me)Val), 2.48 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 3.10 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 3.12 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 3.88 (2H, m, α-CH), 4.79 (1H, d, α-CH), and 6.37 (1H, br.d., NH); m/z 442 (M+1, FAB). (e) Z-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-D-Ala-OH (4.01 g, 18 mM) in THF (6 cm³) was activated by DppCl (4.25 g, 18 mM) in THF (6 cm³) and NMM (1.97 cm³, 18 mM), and the resulting mixed anhydride coupled to H-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu- (Me)Val-OBu t (6.61 g, 15 mM) in THF (6 cm³). After stirring at -20°C for two hours and at ambient temperature for thirty hours the residue was worked-up as described in the general DppCl procedure and purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with EtOAc/DCM (1:2). Solvent evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a colourless oil, (6.8 g 80%); [α]²⁴ - 137.7° (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for: C₃₅H₅₈N₄O₇: C, 64.90; H, 9.04; N, 8.66. Found: C, 65.00; H, 9.02; N, 8.67%; δ H (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.73 - 1.11 (18H, m, β-CH₃ (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.35 (3H, d, CH₃ D-Ala), 1.42 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.48 - 1.82 (6H, m, β-CH₂, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.17 (1H, m, β-CH (Me)Val), 2.78 - 2.98 (6H, 4s, NCH₃ Conf.), 3.02 (3H, s, N-CH₃), 4.69 (1H, d x d, α-CH D-Ala), 4.74 (1H, m, α-CH (Me)Val), 5.11 (2H, s, PhC H ₂-), 5.03 - 5.66 (2H, m, α-CH (Me)Leu), 5.72 (1H, d, NH-D-Ala), and 7.39 (5H, s, ArH); m/z 646 ( M ⁺, DCI), R t 13.0 min. (f) H-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (6.42 g, 10 mM) in methanol (50 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst for twenty-four hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to give the title compound as a sticky white foam, (4.76 g, 93%); [α]²⁵ - 126° (c 1.2, CH₃OH); δ H (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.77 - 1.11 (18H, m, β-CH₃ (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.16 - 1.27 (3H, d, CH₃-D-Ala), 1.15 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.34 - 1.83 (6H, m, β-CH₂, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.07 (2H, br.s., -NH₂), 2.18 (1H, m, β-CH (Me)Val), 2.87, 2.94, 3.01 (9H, series of singlets, N-CH₃), 3.85 - 3.99 (1H, q, α-CH D-Ala), 4.72 (1H, d, α-CH (Me)Val), and 4.55 (2H, 2t, α-CH (Me)Leu); m/z 512 (M+1, FAB). (g) Z-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Ala-OH (2.40 g, 10.8 mM) in THF (4 cm³) was activated using DppCl (2.55 g, 10.8 mM) in THF (4 cm³) and NMM (1.2 cm³, 10.8 mM) and coupled to H-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (4.68 g, 9 mM) in THF (4 cm³) according to the standard procedure. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for one hour and at ambient temperature for twenty-four hours. The residue obtained after work-up by the general method was purified by silica gel chromatography using CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc (2:1) as eluant. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white solid (5.18 g, 88%); m.p., 52-53°C; [α]²³ - 168° (c 1.1, CHCl₃). Calculated for C₃₈H₆₃N₅O₅: C, 63.55; H, 8.86; N, 9.75. Found: C, 63.34; H, 8.96; N, 9.97%; δ H (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.76 - 1.04 (18H, m, β-CH3 (Me)Val, -CH3 (Me)Leu), 1.31 (3H, d, CH₃-D-Ala), 1.39 (3H, d, CH₃-L-Ala), 1.46 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.49 - 1.98 (6H, m, β-CH₂, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.19 (1H, m, β-CH (Me)Val), 2.79 - 3.03 (9H, series of singlets, N-CH₃), 4.31 (1H, m, α-CH-L-Ala), 4.74 (1H, d x d, α-CH (Me)Val), 4.85 (1H, m, α-CH-D-Ala), 5.07 (2H, s, PhC H ₂), 5.49 - 5.56 (2H, m, α-CH (Me)Leu), 5.66 (1H, d, NH-D-Ala), 7.07 (1H, d, NH-L-Ala), and 7.30 (5H, s, ArH); m/z 717 (M+1, FAB), R t 13.0 min. (3) Z-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-OH (0.25 g, 0.44 mM) in THF (6 cm³) was activated using DppCl (0.15 g, 0.60 mM) in THF (5 cm³) and NMM (0.07 cm³, 0.60 mM) and coupled to H-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (0.27 g, 0.45 mM) in THF (5 cm³) according to the general DppCl coupling method. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 to -5°C for one hour and at room temperature for forty-two hours. The residue, after solvent evaporation was applied to a Sephadex LH20 column eluting with DMF. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white foam (0.13 g, 27%); m.p., 65-67°C; [α]²⁰ - 134°C (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₅₇H₉₈N₈O₁₁: C, 63.87; H, 9.22; N, 10.48. Found: C, 63.59; H, 9.29; N, 10.33; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.77 - 1.03 (36H, m, β-CH₃ of Val, (Me)Val, -CH₃ of (Me)Leu), 1.15 (3H, d, CH₃ D-Ala), 1.36 (3H, d, CH₃-L-Ala), 1.44 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.47 - 1.52 (8H, m, β-CH₂ (Me)Leu), 1.84 - 2.40 (6H, m, β-CH Val, β-CH (Me)Val, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.79 - 3.06 (15H, series of singlets N-CH₃), 4.39 - 5.03 (6H, α-CH (Me)Val, Val, Ala, D-Ala (Me)Leu), 5.17 (2H, s, PhCH₂), 5.48 - 5.50 (2H, m, α-CH (Me)Leu), 6.65 (1H, d, NH-D-Ala), 6.90 (1H, d, NH-Val), 7.15 (1H, br.s., NH L-Ala) and 7.26 (5H, s, ArH); m/z 1073 (M+1, FAB); Rt 13.6 min. Example 2 : Z-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (1) H-L-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (29.86 g, 50 mM; prepared as described in Example 1) was dissolved in methanol (200 cm³) and hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst (2.7 g), at atmospheric pressure for twenty-four hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to give the title compound as a foam, (23.6 g, 95%); m.p., 70-71°C; [α]²⁴ - 195.4° (c 1.2, CH₃OH); δ H (220 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.76 - 1.09 (18H, m, β-CH₃ (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.22 (3H, d, CH₃-D-Ala), 1.36 (3H, d, CH₃ Ala), 1.45 - 1.48 (9H, 2s, OBu t Conf.), 1.54 - 2.09 (6H, m, β-CH₂, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.20 (1H, m, β-CH (Me)Val), 2.83 - 3.03 (9H, series of singlets, N-CH₃), 3.58 (1H, br.s., NH D-Ala), 3.75 - 3.86 (1H, d x d, α-CH (Me)Val), 4.72 - 4.90 (2H, m, α-CH Ala, D-Ala), 5.56 (2H, 2t, α-CH (Me)Leu), and 7.33 - 7.89 (2H, br.m., -NH₂); m/z 583 (M+1, FAB). (2) Z-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-(Me)Leu-OH (16.65 g, 59.7 mM) in THF (40 cm³) was activated using DppCl (14.1 g, 59.7 mM) in THF (40 cm³) and NMM (5.46 cm³, 59.7 mM) and coupled to H-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (29 g, 49.7 mM) in THF (30 cm³), according to the general procedure. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for three hours and at ambient temperature for thirty hours. THe reaction was worked-up as described for the general DppCl method, and the residue obtained was purified on a silica gel column eluting with CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc (2:1). Solvent evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white solid (36.1 g, 96%); m.p., 47-48°C; [α]²⁵ - 173° (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₄₅H₇₆N₆O₉: C, 63.91; H, 9.10; N, 9.95; Found: C, 64.12; H, 9.32; N, 9.80%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.76 - 1.03 (24H, β-CH₃ (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.25 - 1.34 (6H, d x d, CH₃ D-Ala, Ala), 1.44 (9H, s, OBu t , 1.77 (3H, m, -CH (Me)Leu), 1.58 - 1.85 (6H, m, β-CH₂ (Me)Leu), 2.17 (1H, m, β-CH (Me)Val), 2.77 - 3.00 (9H, series of singlets, -NCH₃), 4.39 (1H, t, α-CH L-Ala), 4.71 (1H, d, α-CH (Me)Val), 4.63 - 4.87 (2H, m, α-CH D-Ala, (Me)Leu), 5.14 (2H, s, PhCH₂), 5.39 - 5.50 (2H, m, α-CH (Me)Leu), 6.57 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 6.88 (1H, br.s., NH-L-Ala), and 7.38 (5H, s, ArH); m/z 844 ( M ⁺, DCI), R t 13.0 min. (3) H-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-Obu t Z-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me]Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (35.8 g, 42.4 mM) in methanol (200 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst at one atmosphere for thirty hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to give the title compound as a white foam, (28.3 g, 94%), m.p., 50-52°C; [α]²⁵ - 155.4° (c 1.2, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₃₇H₇₀N₆O₆: C, 62.39; H, 9.93; N, 11.82. Found: C, 61.98; H, 9.79; N, 11.88%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.76 - 1.03 (24H, m, β-CH₃ (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.24 - 1.36 (6H, d x d, CH₃ Ala, D-Ala), 1.45 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.58 - 1.90 (6H, m, β-CH₂ (Me)Leu), 1.98 (3H, m, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.17 (1H, m, β-CH (Me)Val). 2.76 - 2.99 (12H, series of singlets, -NCH₃), 4.03 (1H, br.d., -N H -(Me)Leu), 4.44 - 5.50 (5H, m, α-CH), 6.26 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), 8.39 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala); m/z 710 ( M ⁺, DCI). (4) Z-(Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Val-OH (11.45 g, 45.6 mM) in THF (30 cm³) was activated using DppCl (10.79 g, 45.6 mM) in THF (30 cm³) and NMM (5.0 cm³, 45.6 mM) and the resulting mixed anhydride coupled to H-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (27 g, 38 mM) in THF (30 cm³), as described for the general DppCl coupling procedure. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for two hours and at room temperature for forty-five hours. The reaction was worked-up as described in the general procedure and the residue subjected to chromatography on silica gel eluting with CH₂Cl₂EtOAc (2:1). Evaporation of the solvent gave the title compound as a white foam, (26.9 g, 75%), m.p., 69.5°C; [α]²⁵ - 143.1° (c 1.1 CH₃OH). Calculated for C₅₀H₈₅N₇O₁₀: C, 63,58; H, 9.08; N, 10.38. Found: C, 63.36; H, 9.05; N, 10.48%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.71 - 1.06 (30H, m, β-CH₃Val, (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.31 - 1.34 (6H, d x d, CH₃ Ala, D-Ala), 1.44 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.47 - 1.60 (3H, m, -CH (Me)Leu), 1.58 - 1.84 (6H, m, β-CH₂ (Me)Leu, 1.99 (1H, m, β-CH Val), 2.14 (1H, m, β-CH (Me)Val), 2.76 - 3.01 (12H, series of singlets -NCH₃), 4.36 (1H, m, α-CH Ala), 4.46 (1H, m, α-CH Val), 4.68 (1H, d, α-CH (Me)Val), 4.61 - 4.84 (1H, m, α-CH D-Ala), 5.03 - 5.13 (4H, m, PhC H ₂, α-CH (Me)Leu), 5.34 - 5.45 (2H, m, α-CH (Me)Leu), 6.58 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 6.82 - 7.01 (2H, br.m., NH-L-Ala, Val), and 7.23 (5H, s, ArH); m/z 943 ( M ⁺, DCI); R t 13.6 min. (5) H-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (26 g, 27.5 mM) in methanol (100 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst for two days. Evaporation of the solvent, after removal of the catalyst, gave the title compound as a white foam, (20.96 g, 94%); m.p., 71-72°C; [α]²⁴ - 138.9° (c 1.2, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₄₂H₂₉N₇O₈: C, 62.25; H, 9.84; N, 12.10. Found: C, 62.20; H, 9.65; N, 12,23%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.71 - 1.06 (30H, m, -CH₃ (Me)Leu, β-CH₃ Val, (Me)Val), 1.23 - 1.33 (6H, 2d, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala), 1.44 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.40 - 1.61 (3H, m, -CH (Me)Leu), 1.50 - 1.84 (6H, m, β-CH₂ (Me)Leu), 1.25 - 1.99 (2H, m, β-CH Val, (Me)Val), 2.11 (2H, br., -NH₂), 2.78 - 3.01 (12H, series of singlets -NCH₃), 4.38 (1H, m, α-CH Ala), 4.45 - 5.44 (6H, α-CH (Me)Leu, (Me)Val, Val, D-Ala), 6.68 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), and 6.95 (1H, br.d., NH-L-Ala); m/z 809 ( M ⁺, DCI). (6) Z-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-L-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-(Me)Leu-OH (8.56 g, 30.7 mM) in THF (10 cm³) was activated using DppCl (7.26 g, 30.7 mM) in THF (10 cm³) and NMM (3.37 cm³, 30.7 mM) and was coupled to H-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (20.7 g, 25.6 mM) in THF (50 cm³), according to the general coupling procedure. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for two hours and at ambient temperature for forty-five hours. The solvent was evaporated and the reaction worked-up as described in the general procedure. The residue was subjected to chromatography on silica gel eluting with EtOAc/CH₂Cl₂ (1:1). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white solid, (23 g, 94%); m.p., 75°C; [α]²⁴ - 133.1° (c 1.2, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₅₇H₉₈N₈O₁₁: C, 63.87; H, 9.22; N, 10.48; Found: C, 63.74; H, 9,23; N, 10.33%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃, 0.76 - 1.04 (36H, m, β-CH₃ Val, (Me)Val, -CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.31 - 1.34 (6H, d x d, CH₃ Ala, D-Ala), 1.44 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.47 - 1.60 (3H, m, -CH(Me)Leu), 1.61 - 1.70 (8H, m, β-CH₂ (Me)Leu), 1.98 (1H, m, β-CH Val), 2.15 (1H, m, β-CH (Me)Val), 2.79 - 3.06 (15H, series of singlets, NCH₃), 4.39 - 4.49 (1H, m, α-CH Ala), 4.69 - 4.95 (3H, m, α-CH D-Ala, Val, (Me)Val), 5.03 - 5.23 (4H, m, α-CH (me)Leu, PhCH₂), 5.29 - 5.52 (2H, m, α-CH (Me)Leu), 6.50 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 6.51 (1H, br.d., NH Val), 6.84 (1H, br.d., NH-L-Ala), and 7.28 (5H, s, ArH); m/z 1070 ( M ⁺, DCI), R t 13.6 min. Example 3 : Z-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu) (Me)Val-OBu t Z-Sar-OH (16.56 g, 74.28 mM) in THF (24 cm³) was activated using DppCl (17.55 g, 74.28 mM) in THF (24 cm³) and NMM (7.13 cm³, 74.28 mM) at -20°C and coupled to H-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu- (Me)Val-OBu t (57.66 g, 61.89 mM) in THF (60 cm³) as described for the general DppCl method. The reaction mixture was stirred at -15°C for two hours and at ambient temperature for forty-five hours, and was worked-up in the usual way. The residue was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc/CH₂Cl₂ (1:1) to give the title compound as a white solid, (45.36 g 64%); m.p., 64°C; [α]²⁴ - 131.5°C (c 1.1, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₆₀H₁₀₃N₉O₁₂: C, 63.05; H, 9.09; N, 11.03. Found: C, 63.11; H, 9.14; N, 10.88%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃ 2 Confs.), 0.76 - 1.06 (36H, m, β-CH₃, Val, (Me)Val, γ-CH₃ (Me)Leu), 1.27 - 1.36 (6H, d x d, CH₃, Ala, D-Ala), 1.44 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.52 - 1.87 (12H, m, β-CH₂, -CH (Me)Leu), 2.04 - 2.17 (2H, m, β-CH, Val, (Me)Val), 2.80 - 3.07 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.01 - 4.11 (2H, d x d, CH₂, Sar), 4.36 (1H, α-CH, Ala), 4.65 - 4.72 (2H, m, α-CH, Val, (Me)Val), 4.68 - 5.07 (3H, m, α-CH, D-Ala, (Me)Leu), 5.12 (2H, s, Ph-CH₂-), 5.45 (2H, m, α-CH, (Me)Leu), 6.50 (1H, br.d., NH, D-Ala), 6.63 (1H, br.d., NH, Val), 6.82 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), 7.31 (5H, s, ArH); m/z 1141 ( M ⁺, DCI), R t 12.0 min. Example 4 : H-sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t in methanol (150 cm³) was hydrogenolysed at atmospheric pressure in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst for twenty-four hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the solvent evaporated to dryness. The residue was triturated with ether to afford the title compound as a white solid, (12.8 g, 97%); m.p., 96-97°C; [α]²³ - 154.2° (c 1, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₅₂H₉₇N₉O₁₀: C, 61.19; H, 9.70; N, 12.50. Found: C, 61.56; H, 9.73; N, 12.02%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 1.04 - 1.76 (36H, m, γ-CH₃, (Me)Leu; β-CH₃, Val, (Me)Val), 1.29 - 1.46 (6H, d x d, CH₃, Ala, D-Ala), 1.43 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.52 - 1.86 (12H, m, β-CH₂, γ-CH, (Me)Leu), 2.15 - 2.45 (3H, m, β-CH, Val, (Me)Val, -NH-Sar), 2.74 - 3.09 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.32 - 4.37 (2H, d x d, CH₂-Sar), 4.34 (1H, m, α-CH, Ala), 4.51 - 5.52 (7H, m, α-CH), 6.59 (1H, br.d., NH, D-Ala), 6.72 (1H, br.d., NH-Val), and 6.84 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala); m/z 1007 ( M ⁺, DCI). Example 5 : Z-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Abu-OH (4.4 g, 18.8 mM) in THF (8 cm³ was activated using DppCl (4.5 g, 18.8 mM) in THF (5 cm³) and NMM (2.1 g, 18.8 mM) at -20°C and coupled to H-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (12.8 g, 15.7 mM; prepared as described in Example 4) according to the general DppCl procedure. The reaction mixture was stirred at -15°C for two hours and at ambient temperature for forty-five hours. The reaction was worked-up as described in the usual way and the residue purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc/DCM (1:2). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white foam, (14.1 g, 90%); m.p., 83-84°C; [α]²⁴ - 168.2° (c 1.1, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₆₄H₁₁₀N₁₀O₁₃: C, 62.58; H, 9,02; N, 11.40. Found: C, 62.29; H, 9.09; N, 11.28%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃, 2 Confs.), 0.75 - 1.06 (39H, m, β-CH₃-Val, (Me)Val, γ-CH₃-(Me)Leu, β-CH₃-Abu), 1.25 - 1.35 (6H, d x d CH₃-Ala, D-Ala), 1.48 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.53 - 1.86 (12H, m, β-CH₂, γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 1.91 (2H, m, β-CH₂-Abu), 2.02 - 2.15 (2H, β-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 2.66 - 3.26 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.26 - 4.30 (2H, d x d, CH₂-Sar), 4.35 (1H, m, α-CH-Ala), 4.50 - 4.90 (3H, m, α-CH-(Me)Val, D-Ala, Val), 4.94 - 5.07 (3H, m, α-CH-Abu and (Me)Leu), 5.08 (2H, s, Ph-CH₂-), 5.46 (2H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 5.90 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 6.55 (1H, br.d., NH-Val), 6.71 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), and 7.33 (5H, s, ArH); R t 13.2 min.; m/z 1225 ( M ⁺, DCI). Example 6 : Z-Thr(Bu t )-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t NMM (1.1 cm³, 9.9 mM, 2.5 equiv.) was added to a stirred solution of Z-Thr(Bu t )-OH (1.4 g, 4.4 mM, 1 equiv.) in THF (10 cm³) and the mixture stirred at -20°C. DppCl (1.4 g, 6 mM, 1.5 equiv.) in THF (4 cm³) was then added and the resulting mixture stirred at -20°C for twenty minutes. A pre-cooled solution of H-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (4 g, 4 mM, 1 equiv.; prepared as described in Example 4) in THF (10 cm³) was then added and the reaction mixture stirred at -20°C for one hour, 0-5°C for one hour and room temperature for four days. The product was worked-up as described for the general DppCl procedure, to yield an oil which was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white foam, (2.5 g, 48%); m.p., 85°C; [α]²⁰ - 159.5° (c 1, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₆₈H₁₁₈N₁₀O₁₄: C, 62.87; H, 9.09; N, 10.79. Found: C, 62.48; H, 9.26; N, 10.71%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃) 0.78 - 1.07 (36H, m, CH₃ of (Me)Val, (Me)Leu, Val), 1.13 (3H, d, β-CH₃ of Thr), 1.21 (9H, s, Thr, OBu t ), 1.28 - 1.38 (6H, m, CH₃ of Ala, D-Ala), 1.44 (9H, s, (Me)Val, OBu t ), 1.52 - 1.83 (10H, m, β-CH₂ of (Me)Leu and Abu), 1.85 - 2.32 (6H, m, β-CH of (Me)Val, Val and γ-CH of (Me)Leu), 2.80 - 3.09 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃) 3.35 (1H, d, α-CH, Sar), 3.45 - 3.50 (1H, m, β-CH of Thr), 4.41 - 4.52 (1H, m, α-CH, Ala), 4.70 - 4.92 (7H, m, α-CH), 5.20 (1H, d, α-CH, Thr), 5.14 (2H, s, Ph-C H ₂), 5.31 - 5.56 (2H, m, α-CH), 6.21 (1H, d, NH-Thr), 6.50 (1H, d, NH-D-Ala), 6.92 - 7.02 (2H, m, NH-Val, L-Ala), 7.35 (5H, s, Ar H ); m/z 1298 ( M ⁺, CI), R t 14.1 min. Example 7 : Z-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Nva-OH (1.79 g, 7.14 mM) in THF (5 cm³) was activated using DppCl (2.11 g, 8.92 mM) in THF (5 cm³) and NMM (1.30 cm³, 8.92 mM) at -20°C and coupled to H-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (6.10 g, 5.95 mM; prepared as described in Example 4) as described in the general DppCl method. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for two hours and at ambient temperature for thirty-six hours, and the residue worked-up in the usual way. Purification on silica gel column eluting with EtOAc/DCM (2:1) gave the title compound as a white foam, (6.4 g, 86%); m.p., 85-86°C; [α]²⁴ - 164°, (c 1, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₆₅H₁₁₂N₁₀O₁₃: C, 62.85; H, 9.10; N, 11.28. Found: C, 62.69; H, 9.21; N, 10.94%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃, 2 Confs.), 0.77 - 1.03 (39H, m, β-CH₃-(Me)Val, Val, γ-CH₃(Me)Leu, CH₃Nva), 1.29 - 1.31 (10H, d x d, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala, β, -CH₂-Nva), 1.44 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.51 - 1.81 (12H, m, β-CH₂, γ-CH of (Me)Leu), 2.05 - 2.24 (2H, m, β-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 2.70; 3.28 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.28 - 4.35 (2H, d x d, CH₂-Sar), 4.35 (1H, m, α-CH-Ala), 4.38 (1H, t, α-CH-Nva), 4.66 - 5.06 (4H, m, α-CH), 5.10 (2H, s, PhCH₂), 5.46 - 5.52 (2H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 5.89 - 5.92 (1H, br.d., NH-Nva), 6.58 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 6.78 (1H, br.d., NH-Val), 6.80 - 6.95 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), and 7.34 (5H, s, ArH), R t 13.8 min.; m/z 1241 ( M ⁺, DCI). Example 8 : Z-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Nle-OH (1.4 g, 5.2 mM) in THF (5 cm³) was activated using DppCl (1.5 g, 6.2 mM) in THF (5 cm³) and NMM (1.1 g, 10.4 mM) at -20°C and coupled to H-Sar-(Me)Leu-(Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (4.8 g, 4.7 mM) as described in the general DppCl coupling procedure. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for two hours and at room temperature for forty-six hours. After work-up as described in the general DppCl procedure, the residue was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc/DCM (3:1), to give the title compound as a white solid, (4.6 g, 77%); m.p., 83-84°C; [α]²⁴ - 122.6°, (c 1, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₆₆H₁₁₄N₁₀O₁₃: C, 63.11; H, 9.15; N, 11.05. Found: C, 62.94; H, 9.16; N, 10.88%; δ H (220 MHz, CDCl₃, 2 Conf.), 0.78 - 1.03 (39H, m, β-CH₃-(Me)Val and Val, γ-CH₃ of (Me)Leu, CH₃-nLe), 1.23 - 1.31 (10H, m, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala, β, δ-CH₂-Nle), 1.44 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.53 - 1.80 (12H, m, β-CH₂, γ-CH of (Me)Leu), 2.04 - 2.15 (2H, m, β-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 2.71 - 3.31 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.28 - 4.33 (2H, d x d, CH₂-Sar), 4.36 (1H, m, α-CH-Ala), 4.39 (1H, t, α-CH-Nle), 4.65 - 5.01 (5H, m, α-CH), 5.20 (2H, s, PhC H ₂), 5.50 - 5.52 (2H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 5.92 (1H, br.d., NH-nLe), 6.59 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), 6.78 (1H, br.d., NH-Val), 6.81 - 6.95 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala) and 7.34 (5H, s, ArH), R t 11.8 min.; m/z 1225 ( M ⁺, DCI). Example 9 : H-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-Obu t (2.45 g, 2 mM; prepared as described in Example 5) in CH₃OH (50 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst for forty-eight hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to give the title compound as a foam, (2.12 g, 97%); m.p., 92-94°C; [α]²⁴ - 143° (c 1, CH₃OH); m/z 1092 (M+1, FAB). Example 10 : H-Thr(Bu t )-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-L-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (10%) Pd/C catalyst (0.21 g) was added to a stirred solution of Z-Thr-(Bu t )-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-Obu t (2.1 g, 1.6 mM; prepared as described in Example 6) in MeOH (30 cm³) and the mixture hydrogenolysed for forty-six hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to dryness to give the title compound (1.7 g, 88%); m.p., 88-90°C; [α]²⁰ - 168° (c 0.8, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₆₀H₁₁₂N₁₀O₁₂.H₂O: C, 60.90; H, 9.64; N, 11.84. Found: C, 61.16; H, 9.66; N, 11.63%; m/z 1166 (M+1, FAB). Example 11 : H-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-Obu t (4.96 g, 4 mM; prepared as described in Example 7) in MeOH (50 cm³) was hydrogenolysed at atmospheric pressure in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst (0.2 g). The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to give the title compound as a white foam, (4.47 g, 94%); [α]²⁴ - 170°, (c 1, CH₃OH); δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.74 - 1.08 (39H, m, γ-CH₃-(Me)Leu, β-CH₃-Val, (Me)Val, CH₃-Nva), 1.23 - 1.31 (10H, m, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala, β, -CH₂-Nva), 1.45 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.53 - 1.85 (12H, m, β-CH₂, γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 2.20 - 2.41 (2H, m, β-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 2.79 - 3.20 (18H, series of s, NCH₃), 4.21 (2H, br.s., -NH₂), 4.34 - 4.39 (2H, d x d, CH₂-Sar), 4.41 - 5.52 (9H, m, α-CH), 6.61 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 6.74 (1H, br.d., NH-Val), and 6.85 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala); m/z 1107 (M+1, FAB). Example 12 : H-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (5.0 g, 4 mM; prepared as described in Example 8) in MeOH (50 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst (0.2 g) under atmospheric pressure for forty-eight hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to give the title compound as a white solid, (4.9 g, 95%); m.p., 84-86°C; [α]²³ - 162.2°, (c 1, CH₃OH); δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.75 - 1.08 (39H, m, γ-CH₃-(Me)Leu, β-CH₃Val, (Me)Val, CH₃-nLe), 1.24 - 1.31 (12H, m, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala, β, δ-CH₂-Nle), 1.45 - 1.48 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.54 - 1.85 (12H, β-CH₂, γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 2.21 - 2.42 (2H, m, β-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 2.79 - 3.20 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.20 (2H, br.s., -NH₂), 4.34 - 4.39 (2H, d x d, α-CH-Sar), 4.40 - 5.52 (9H, m, α-CH), 6.61 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 6.75 (1H, br.d., NH-Val), and 6.83 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala); m/z 1121 (M+1, FAB). Example 13 : Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t To a solution of Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-OH (11) (0.46 g, 1.5 mM) in THF (2 cm³) and NMM (0.35 cm³, 1.3 mM) at -20°C was added a cooled solution of DppCl (0.37 g, 1.5 mM) in THF (5 cm³). The suspension was stirred at -20°C for ten minutes and then treated with a pre-cooled solution of H-Nle-Ser-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu- (Me)Val-OBu t (1.44 g, 1.3 mM; prepared as described in Example 12). The reaction mixture was stirred for two hours at -20°C and thirty-six hours at room temperature and worked-up in the usual way to yield a crude solid. The residue was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc-DCM (3:1). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions afforded the title compound as a white solid, (1.52 g, 75%); m.p., 72-73°C; [α]²⁴ - 145.2° (c 1.5, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₇₄H₁₂₉N₁₁O₁₅: C, 62.88; H, 9.23; N, 10.90. Found: C, 62.97; H, 9.33; N, 10.40%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃, 2 Confs.), 0.73 - 1.03 (39H, β-CH₃-Val, (Me)Val, γ-CH₃-(Me)Leu, CH₃-Nle), 1.12 (9H, s, OBu t -(Me)Ser), 1.22 - 1.32 (12H, m, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala, β, δ, -CH₂-Nle), 1.38 - 1.44 (9H, 2s, OBu t , Conf.), 1.54 - 1.62 (4H, m, γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 1.63 - 1.81 (8H, m, β-CH₂-(Me)Leu), 2.04 - 2.16 (2H, m, β-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 2.70 - 3.30 (21H, series of s, NCH₃), 3.84 (2H, t, β-CH₂-(Me)Ser), 4.27 - 4.32 (2H, d x d, α-CH₂-Sar), 4.35 (1H, m, α-CH-Ala), 4.40 (1H, t, α-CH-Nle), 4.65 (2H, m, α-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 4.69 - 4.86 (3H, m, α-CH-D-Ala, (Me)Leu), 5.13 (2H, s, PhC H ₂), 5.46 (2H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 5.51 (1H, t, α-CH-(Me)Ser), 6.89 - 7.10 (1H, br.d., NH, D-Ala), 7.15 - 7.20 (1H, br.d., NH-Val), 7.34 (5H, s, ArH), 7.62 - 7.78 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), and 7.89 - 8.07 (1H, br.d., NH-Nle); R t 15.8 min.; m/z 1412 ( M ⁺, DCI). Example 14 : Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t DppCl (0.38 g, 1.5 mM) in THF (5 cm³) was added to a stirred solution of Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-OH (11) (0.46 g, 1.5 mM) in THF (2 cm³) and NMM (0.36 cm³, 1.3 mM) at -20°C, and the suspension stirred at this temperature for twenty minutes. A pre-cooled solution of H-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (1.43 g, 1.3 mM; prepared as described in Example 11) in THF (5 cm³) was then added to the above mixture and the total mixture stirred at -20°C for two hours and at ambient temperature for thirty-five hours. The reaction was worked-up as described for the general DppCl procedure and the residue purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc/DCM. Solvent evaporation of the appropriate fractions afforded the title compound as a white foam, (1.41 g, 73%); m.p., 70°C; [α]²⁵ - 151.4° (c 1.4, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₇₃H₁₂₇N₁₁O₁₅: C, 62.66; H, 9.15; N, 11.01. Found: C, 62.31; H, 9.26; N, 10.64%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃, 2 Confs.), 0.72 - 1.03 (39H, m, γ-CH₃-(Me)Leu, β-CH₃-Val and (Me)Val, CH₃-NVa), 1.13 (9H, s, OBu t , (Me)Ser), 1.21 - 1.32 (10H, d x d, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala, β, -CH₂-Nva), 1.44 (9H, 2s, OBu t , Conf.), 53 - 1.61 (4H, m, γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 1.62 - 1.80 (8H, m, β-CH₂-(Me)Leu), 2.03 - 3.06 (1H, m, β-CH-Val), 2.11 - 2.16 (1H, m, β-CH-(Me)Val), 2.69 - 3.31 (21H, series of s, N-CH₃), 3.83 (2H, t, β-CH₂-(Me)Ser), 4.26 - 4.31 (2H, d x d, CH₂-Sar), 4.34 - 4.40 (1H, m, α-CH-Ala), 4.40 (1H, t, α-CH-Nva), 4.64 - 4.65 (2H, d x d, α-CH-(Me)Val, α-CH-Val). 4.69 - 5.08 (3H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu, α-CH-D-Ala), 5.12 (2H, s, PhC H ₂), 5.45 (2H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 5.52 (1H, t, α-CH-(Me)Ser), 6.88 - 7.09 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 7.14 - 7.21 (1H, br.d., NH-Val), 7.33 (5H, s, ArH), 7.61 - 7.77 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), and 7.90 - 8.08 (1H, br.d., NH-Nva); R t 15.2 min; m/z 1398 ( M ⁺, DCI). Example 15 : Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-Thr(Bu t )-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t N.M.M. (0.4 cm³, 3.6 mM, 2.5 equiv.) was added to a stirred solution of Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-OH (11) (0.5 g, 1.6 mM, 1.1 equiv.) in THF (5 cm³) at -20°C. DppCl (0.5 g, 2.2 mM, 1.5 equiv.) in THF (2 cm³) was then added and the mixture stirred at -20°C for twenty minutes, after which time H-Thr(Bu t )-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (1.7 g, 1.4 mM, 1 equiv.; prepared as described in Example 10) in THF (5 cm³) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred at -20°C for one hour, 0-5°C for half an hour and room temperature for four days. The product was worked-up as described in the general DppCl procedure to give an oil, which was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions afforded the title compound as a white foam (1.1 g, 52%); m.p., 80°C; [α]²⁰ - 136.4° (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₇₆H₁₃₃N₁₁O₁₆: C, 62.68; H, 9.14; N, 10.58. Found: C, 62.61; H, 9.31; N, 10.19%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.98 - 1.10 (36H, m, CH₃ of (Me)Val, (Me)Leu, Val), 1.18 (9H, s, Thr(Bu t ), 1.21 - 1.25 (12H, m, (Me)Ser (Bu t ), and Thr-CH₃), 1.29 - 1.31 (6H, d x d, CH₃ of L-Ala, D-Ala), 1.54 - 1.96 (12H, m, β-CH₂ and γ-CH of (Me)Leu), 2.05 - 2.32 (2H, m, β-CH of (Me)-Val, Val), 2.79 - 3.28 (21H, series of s, N-CH₃), 3.22 (1H, d, α-CH-Sar), 3.65 - 3.75 (1H, m, β-CH of Thr), 4.05 - 4.10 (2H, m, β-CH₂ of (Me)Ser), 4.25 - 4.35 (1H, m, α-CH-L-Ala), 4.53 - 4.99 (4H, m, α-CH of D-Ala, Val, (Me)Val, Sar), 5.02 - 5.20 (4H, m, α-CH of (Me)Ser, Thr, and Ph-CH₂-), 5.48 - 5.58 (4H, m, α-CH of (Me)Leu), 6.92 - 7.27 (3H, m, N-H), 7.28 (5H, s, Ar- H ), and 7.31 (1H, d, NH-L-Ala); m/z 1457 (M+1, FAB); R t 16 min. Example 16 : Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t N.M.M. (0.9 cm³, 9.8 mM, 2.5 equiv.) was added to a solution of Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-OH 1.21 g, 3.9 mM, 1 equiv.) in THF (10 cm³) and the mixture was stirred at -20°C. DppCl (1.38 g, 5.9 mM, 1.5 equiv.) in THF (5 cm³) was then added and the resulting mixture stirred at -20°C for twenty minutes. A pre-cooled solution of H-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (3.6 g, 3.3 mM, 1 equiv.; prepared as described in Example 9) in THF (5 cm³) was added and the reaction mixture stirred at -20°C for one hour, 0-5°C for one hour and room temperature for four days. The product was worked-up as described for the general DppCl method, to yield an oil which was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc/CH₂Cl₂ (1:3); evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white solid (1.9 g, 41%); m.p., 80-81°C; [α]²⁰ - 144° (c 1.3, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₇₂H₁₂₅N₁₁O₁₅: C, 62.47; H, 9.04; H, 11.14. Found: C, 62.34; H, 9.15; N, 10.94%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.77 - 1.02 (39H, m, CH₃ of Abu, Val, (Me)Leu, (Me)Val, 1.17 (9H, s, (Me)Ser, (Bu t ), 1.24 - 1.30 (6H, d x d, CH₃ of L-Ala, D-Ala), 1.44 (9H, s, (Me)Val-(OBu t ), 1.36 - 2.26 (14H, m, β-CH₂ of (Me)Leu and Abu, γ-CH of (Me)Leu, 2.18 - 2.22 (2H, m, β-CH of Val and (Me)Val), 2.81 - 3.49 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃), 3.12 (1H, d, α-CH-Sar), 3.52 - 3.77 (2H, m, β-CH₂ of (Me)Ser), 3.80 (1H, d, α-CH-Sar, 4.28 - 4.48 (1H, m, α-CH-L-Ala), 4.67 - 4.72 (1H, d, α-CH-Val), 4.72 - 4.76 (1H, d, α-CH-(Me)Val), 4.79 - 4.96 (2H, m, α-CH, D-Ala and Abu), 5.05 - 5.15 (5H, m, Ph-CH₂- and α-CH of (Me)Leu, (Me)Ser), 5.48 - 5.52 (1H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 6.90 - 7.11 (2H, 2s, N-H), 7.27 (5H, s, Ar H ), 7.85 - 8.28 (2H, 2s, -NH); m/z 1384 (M+1, FAB); R t 13.5 min. Example 17 : Z-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-(Me)Thr-(But)-OH (0.39 g, 1.20 mM) in THF (2 cm³) was activated using DppCl (0.31 g, 1.25 mM) in THF (2 cm³) and NMM (0.3 cm³, 2.5 mM) at -20°C and coupled to H-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (1.30 g, 1.17 mM; prepared as described in Example 11) in THF (5 cm³) according to the general DppCl method. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for two hours and at ambient temperature for forty-five hours, and then worked-up in the usual way. The residue was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc to give the title compound as a white solid (0.75 g, 65%); m.p., 70-71°C; [α]²⁵ - 175.4°, (c 1, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₇₄H₁₂₉N₁₁O₁₅: C, 62.88; H, 9.20; N, 10.90. Found: C, 63.02; H, 9.38; N, 10.70%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃, 2 Confs.), 0.72 - 1.02 (39H, m, γ-CH₃-(Me)Leu, β-CH₃-Val, (Me)Val and CH₃-Nva), 1.09 - 1.25 (9H, s, OBu t ), 1.09 - 1.25 (3H, d, β-CH₃-(Me)Thr), 1.25 - 1.35 (12H, m, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala, β, δ-CH²-Nva), 1.46 - 1.48 (9H, 2s, OBu t , Conf.,), 1.52 - 1.85 (12H, m, β-CH₂, γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 2.03 - 2.16 (2H, β-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 2.70 - 3.14 (21H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.19 (1H, m, β-CH-(Me)Thr), 4.28 - 4.36 (2H, d x d, CH₂-Sar), 4.39 (1H, m, α-CH-Ala), 4.44 (1H, t, α-CH-Nva), 4.63 - 4.70 (2H, m, α-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 4.67 - 5.08 (3H, m, α-CH-D-Ala, (Me)Leu), 5.12 (2H, s, PhCH₂), 5.45 (2H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 6.88 - 7.09 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 7.13 - 7.18 (1H, br.d., NH-Val), 7.33 (5H, s, ArH), 7.61 - 7.78 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), and 7.88 - 8.05 (1H, br.d., NH-Nva); R t 14.8 min.; m/z 1411 ( M ⁺, DCI). Example 18 : Z-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-OH (0.40 g, 1.25 mM) in THF (2 cm³) was activated using DppCl (0.31 g, 1.24 mM) in THF (2 cm³) and NMM (0.3 cm³, 2.50 mM) at -20°C, and coupled to H-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (1.38 g, 1.24 mM; prepared as described in Example 12) in THF (2 cm³), according to the general DppCl method. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for two hours and ambient temperature for forty-five hours, and then worked-up as described for the general DppCl method. The residue was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc/DCM (1:1), to give the title compound as a white foam (0.71 g, 64%); [α]²⁴ - 150.4° (c 1.2, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₇₅H₁₃₁N₁₁O₁₅: C, 63.11; H, 9.26; N, 10.80. Found: C, 63.00; H, 9.52; N, 11.03%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃, 2 Confs.), 0.73 - 1.02 (39H, m, γ-CH₃-(Me)Leu, β-CH₃-(Me)Val, Val and CH₃-Nle), 1.08 - 1.25 (12H, m, β-CH₃-(Me)Thr, OBu t -(Me)Thr), 1.25 - 1.35 (12H, m, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala, CH₂-Nle), 1.46 - 1.49 (9H, 2s, OBu t , Conf.), 1.52 1.85 (12H, m, β-CH₂ and γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 2.04 - 2.16 (2H, m, β-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 2.70 - 3.14 (21H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.19 (1H, m, β-CH-(Me)Thr), 4.29 - 4.37 (2H, d x d, CH₂-Sar), 4.39 (1H, m, α-CH-Ala), 4.44 (1H, t, α-CH-Nle), 4.64 (3H, m, α-CH), 4.68 - 5.07 (3H, m, α-CH-D-Ala, (Me)Leu), 5.12 (2H, s, PhCH₂), 5.46 (2H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 6.8 - 7.09 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 7.14 - 7.19 (1H, br.d., NH-Val), 7.33 (5H, s, ArH), 7.62 - 7.79 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), and 7.89 - 8.06 (1H, br.d., NH-Nle); R t 15.7 min; m/z 1425 ( M ⁺, DCI). Example 19 : Z-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t N.M.M. (1.0 cm³, 6.5 mM, 2.5 equiv.) was added to a solution of Z-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-OH (1 g, 3.1 mM, 1.2 equiv.) in THF (10 cm³), and the mixture stirred at -20°C. DppCl (0.9 g, 3.9 mmol, 1.5 equiv.) in THF (5 cm³) was then added, and the resulting mixture stirred at -20°C for twenty minutes. A pre-cooled solution of H-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (2.8 g, 2.6 mM, 1 equiv.; prepared as described in Example 9) in THF (10 cm³) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for one hour, 0°C for one hour and room temperature for two days. The product was worked up as described for the general DppCl procedure, to yield an oil which was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white foam, (3.1 g, 86%); m.p., 92-93°C; [α]²⁰ - 164 (c 1.0, MeOH). Calculated for C₇₃H₁₂₆N₁₁O₁₅: C, 62.66; H, 9.01; N, 11.02. Found: C, 62.60; H, 9.07; N, 11.03%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.77 1.12 (39H, CH₃ of Abu, Val, (Me)Leu, (Me)Val), 1.13 - 1.19 (3H, d, γ-CH₃-(Me)Thr), 1.20 (9H, s, (Me)Thr(Bu t ), 1.29 - 1.32 (6H, d x d, CH₃ of L-Ala and D-Ala), 1.44 (9H, s, (Me)Val(OBu t ), 1.52 -0 1.89 (10H, m, β-CH₂ of Abu, (Me)Leu), 1.84 - 2.22 (6H, m, β-CH of Val and (Me)Val and γ-CH (Me)Leu), 2.72 - 3.34 (21H, series of s, N-CH₃), 3.21 (1H, d, α-CH-Sar), 4.19 - 4.32 (1H, qt, β-CH-(Me)Thr), 4.33 - 4.41 (1H, m, α-CH-Ala), 4.50 - 4.90 (4H, m, α-CH of Sar, (Me)Val, D-Ala and Val), 4.94 - 5.09 (3H, m, α-CH-Abu, α-CH(Me)Leu), 5.12 (2H, s, Ph-C H ₂), 5.15 (1H, d, α-CH(Me)Thr), 5.49 - 5.69 (2H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 6.80 - 6.93 (2H, 2s, N-H), 7.35 (5H, s, Ar H ), 7.67 - 7.99 (2H, 2s, -NH); m/z 1398 ( M ⁺, CI); R t 12.2 min. Example 20 : Fmoc-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Triethylamine (0.25 cm³, 1.78 mM, 1.5 equiv.) was added to a stirred solution of Fmoc(me)Thr(Bu t -OH (16) (0.73 g, 1.78 mM, 1.5 equiv.) in THF (15 cm³) at -20°C. DppCl (0.42 g, 1.78 mM, 1.5 equiv.) in THF (2 cm³) was then added and the mixture stirred at -20°C for twenty minutes, after which time H-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (1.27 g, 1.16 mM, 1 equiv.; prepared as described in Example 9) in THF (5 cm³) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred at -20°C for one hour, 0-5°C for half an hour and room temperature for four days. The product was worked-up as described in the general DppCl procedure to give an oil which was purified on a silica gel column eluting with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 12:1. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white foam (1.11 g, 69%); m.p., 94-95°C; [α]²⁰ - 121° (c 1.0, CH₃OH); δ H (CDCl₃, 220 MHz). Calculated for C₈₀H₁₃₁N₁₁O₁₅: C, 64.65; H, 8.82; N, 10.37. Found: C, 64.51; H, 8.93; N, 10.43%; δ H (CDCl₃, 250 MHz), 0.77 - 1.10 (39H, m, CH₃ of Abu, Val, (Me)Val, (Me)Leu)), 1.11 - 1.28 (12H, m, C H ₃(Me)Thr, (Me)Thr(Bu t ), 1.29 - 1.30 (6H, d x d, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala), 1,44 (9H, s, (Me)Val-OBu t ), 1.53 - 1.72 (10H, m, β-CH₂ of (Me)Leu-Abu), 1.73 - 2.20 (6H, m, β-CH, Val, (Me)Val), 2.79 - 3.21 (21H, series of s, N-CH₃), 3.22 (1H, d, α-CH-Sar), 3.92 (1H, m, β-CH, (Me)Thr), 4.12 - 5.02 (9H, m, α-CH), 5.12 (2H, s, Fmoc-C H ₂), 5.34 - 5.62 (2H, m, α-CH), 6.61 - 6.92 (2H, m, N- H ), and 7.23 - 7.80 (9H, m, Ar H , N- H ); m/z 1486 (M+1, FAB); R t 15.2 (λ 280 nm). Example 21 : Boc-Dab(Fmoc)-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t N.M.M. (0.5 cm³, 4.4 mM, 2.5 equiv.) was added to a solution of Boc-Dab(Fmoc)-OH (18) (0.8 g, 1.9 mM, 1.1 equiv.) in THF (5 cm³), and the mixture stirred at -20°C. DppCl (0.6 g, 2.1 mM, 1.5 equiv.) in THF (3 cm³) was then added and the resulting mixture stirred at -20°C for twenty minutes. A pre-cooled solution of H-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (1.9 g, 1.7 mM, 1 equiv.; prepared as described in Example 9) in THF (10 cm³) was added and the reaction mixture stirred at -20°C for one hour, 0°C for one hour and room temperature for three days. The solvent was evaporated and the residue worked-up as described in the usual way. Purification of the product on a silica column eluting with MeOH/EtOAc 1:5 afforded the title compound as a white foam (2.1 g, 81%); m.p., 109-110°C; [α]²⁰ - 130.7° (c 0.8, MeOH). Calculated for C₈₀H₁₃₀N₁₂O₁₆/H₂O: C, 62.66; H, 8.62; N, 10.97. Found: C, 62.90; H, 8.75; N, 10.92%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.79 - 1.05 (39H, m, CH₃ of Val, (Me)Val, (Me)Leu, Abu), 1.27 - 1.29 (6H, m, CH₃ of L-Ala, D-Ala), 1.46 (9H, s, (Me)Val(OBu t ), 1.47 - 2.15 (16H, m, β-CH₂ of (Me)Leu, Abu, Dab, γ-CH of (Me)Leu), 2.17 - 2.23 (2H, m, β-CH of Val, (Me)Val), 2.77 - 3.28 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.19 - 4.48 (4H, m, γ-CH₂ of Dab, α-CH of Sar, α-CH of L-Ala), 4.71 - 4.90 (5H, m, α-CH of Sar, Val, (Me)Val, D-Ala, Abu), 5.01 (2H, s, Fmoc-C H ₂-), 5.02 - 5.27 (5H, m, α-CH of Dab, (Me)Leu), 5.47 - 5.49 (1H, m, Dab-NH), 6.01 (1H, d, Dab-NH), 6.90 - 7.21 (2H, 2s, -NH), 7.25 - 7.28 (8H, m, Ar H ), and 7.31 - 8.10 (2H, 2s, -NH), m/z 1514 (M+1, FAB); R t 11.7 min. Example 22 : Z-Hyp(Bu t )-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t N.M.M. (1.3 cm³, 12.3 mM, 2.5 equiv.) was added to a solution of Z-Hyp(Bu t )-OH (21) (1.7 g, 5.3 mM, 1 equiv.) in THF (10 cm³) and the mixture stirred at -20°C. DppCl (1.7 g, 7.4 mM, 1.5 equiv.) in THF (5 cm³) was then added and the resulting mixture stirred at -20°C for twenty minutes. A pre-cooled solution of H-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (5.1 g, 4.9 mM, 1 equiv.; prepared as described in Example 9) in THF (5 cm³) was added and the reaction mixtured stirred at -20°C for one hour, 0-15°C for one hour and room temperature for two days. The product was worked-up as described for the general DppCl method to yield a yellow oil, which was purified on a silica gel column eluting with CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc (3:1). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions afforded the title compound as a white foam (6 g, 92%); m.p., 94-95°C; [α]²⁰ - 128° (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₇₃H₁₂₅N₁₁O₁₅: C, 62.80; H, 8.96; N, 11.04. Found: C, 62.41; H, 9.02; N, 10.69%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.74 - 1.03 (39H, m, CH₃ of Abu, Val, (Me)Leu, (Me)Val), 1.17 (9H, 2s, Hyp (Bu t ), 1.27 - 1.34 (6H, d x d, CH₃ D-Ala, L-Ala), 1.45 (9H, s, (Me)Val-OBu t ), 1.46 - 2.01 (10H, m, β-CH₂ of Abu, (Me)Leu), 2.02 - 2.36 (8H, m, β-CH of Val, (Me)Val, Hyp and γ-CH of (Me)Leu), 2.93 - 3.30 (21H, series of s, N-CH₃), 3.11 - 3.12 (1H, m, α-CH-Sar), 3.23 - 3.80 (2H, d x d, δ-CH₂ of Hyp), 3.99 - 4.25 (1H, m, γ-CH of Hyp), 4.32 - 4.43 (1H, m, α-CH of L-Ala), 4.49 - 4.94 (5H, m, α-CH of Val, (Me)Val, Sar, Abu and D-Ala), 5.13 (2H, s, Ph-CH₂), 5.14 - 5.31 (4H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 5.48 - 5.52 (1H, m, α-CH of Hyp), 7.14 - 7.30 (2H, 2s, NH of D-Ala, Val), 7.34 (1H, s, NH-L-Ala), 7.35 (5H, s, Ar H ), and 8.10 (1H, s, NH-Abu); m/z 1396 (M+1, FAB); R t 11.4 min. Example 23 : Z-Hyp(Bu t )-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu- (Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t Z-Hyp(Bu t )-OH (21) (1.29 g, 4 mM) in THF (5 cm³), NMM (1.2 cm³, 10.8 mM) in THF (5cm³) were treated with DppCl (1.73 g, 7.3 mM) in THF (5 cm³) at -20°C, and coupled to H-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (4.1 g, 3.7 mM; prepared as described in Example 12) in THF (15 cm³) according to the general DppCl procedure. The reaction mixture was stirred for two hours at -20°C and forty-five hours at room temperature. The reaction was worked-up in the usual way and the residue obtained was purified on a silica gel column eluting with EtOAc/DCM (2:1). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white foam, (4.1 g, 68%); m.p., 95°C; [α]²⁴ - 140.4° (c 1.1, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₇₅H₁₃₀N₁₁O₁₅: C, 63.15; H, 9.19; N, 10.80. Found: C, 63.02; H, 9.05; N, 11.09%; δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃, 2 Conf.), 0.77 - 1.03 (39H, m, β-CH₃-Val, (Me)Val, CH₃-Nle, CH₃-(Me)Leu), 1.14 - 1.17 (9H, 2s, Hyp(Bu t ), Conf.), 1.21 - 1.35 (16H, d x d, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala), 1.21 - 1.35 (6H, m, β and δ CH₂-Nle), 1.44 - 1.46 (9H, 2s, OBu t , Conf.), 1.61 - 1.68 (8H, m, β-CH₂-(Me)Leu), 2.01 - 2.09 (1H, m, β-CH-Val), 2.13 - 2.25 (2H, m, β-CH-(Me)Val, β-CH-Hyp), 2.93 - 3.30 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃), 3.23 - 3.80 (2H, d x d, δ-CH₂-Hyp), 3.99 - 4.25 (1H, m, γ-CH-Hyp), 4.24 - 4.34 (2H, d x d, CH₂-Sar), 4.37 (1H, m, α-CH-Ala), 4.44 (1H, t, α-CH-Nle), 4.50 - 4.65 (3H, m, α-CH-(Me)Val, Val, Hyp), 4.72 - 4.76 (2H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 5.12 - 5.15 (1H, t, α-CH-D-Ala), 5.13 (2H, s, PhC H ₂), 5.43 - 5.52 (2H, m, α-CH-(Me)Leu), 6.90 - 7.19 (2H, br.d., NH-Val, NH-D-Ala), 7.34 (5H, s, ArH), 7.64 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), and 7.88 - 8.07 (1H, br.d., NH-Nle); R t 11.8 min.; m/z 1424 ( M +, DCI). Example 24 : Z-(Me)Thr-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH (10 cm³) TFA (in 90% acetic acid) was added to a cooled (0°C) solution of Z-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (2 g, 1.4 mM; prepared as described in Example 19) and stirred for four hours at room temperature. TFA was than evaporated and the residue purified on a silica gel column eluting with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (15:1). Solvent evaporation of the appropriate fractions afforded the title compound as a white foam (1.7g, 94%); m.p., 134-136°C; [α]²⁰ - 130° (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₆₅H₁₁₁N₁₁O₁₅.3H₂O: C, 58.25; H, 8.74; N, 11.50. Found: C, 57.75; H, 8.30; N, 11.08%; δH (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.77 - 1.07 (39H, m, β-CH₃-Val, (Me)Val, γ-CH₂-Abu, (Me)Leu), 1.14 (3H, d, CH₃-(Me)Thr), 1.25 - 1.32 (6H, d, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala), 1.58 - 1.91 (12H, m, β-CH₂, γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 2.29 (2H, m, β-CH₂-Abu), 2.32 - 2.47 (2H, β-CH-(Me)Val, Val), 2.70 - 3.27 (21H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.18 (1H, m, β-CH-(Me)Thr), 4.30 - 4.39 (2H, d, CH₂-Sar), 4.51 - 5.02 (8H, m, α-CH), 5.17 (2H, s, PhC H ₂), 5.48 - 5.67 (2H, m, α-CH), 6.93 (1H, br.d., NH, D-Ala), 7.41 (1H, br.s., NH-Val), 7.30 (5H, s, ArH), 7.41 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), 7.52 (1H, br.d., NH-Abu), and 8.67 (1H, br.s., -COOH); m/z 1287 (M+1, FAB); R t 7.8 min. Example 25 : H-(Me)Thr-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH 10% Pd/C catalyst (0.1 g) was added to a stirred solution of Z-(Me)Thr-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH (1.7 g, 1.3 mM; prepared as described in Example 24) in CH₃OH (20 cm³) and hydrogenolysed for twenty-three hours. The catalyst was filtered and the filtrate evaporated to dryness. The residue was applied on a Sephadex G10 column eluting with water. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white foam (1.4 g, 93%); m.p., 134-136°C; [α]²⁰ - 129° (c 1.0, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₅₇H₁₀₅N₁₁O₁₃.5H₂O; C, 55.12; H, 9.27; N, 12.41. Found: C, 54.84; H, 8.97; N, 12.09%; m/z 1151 ( M +, DCI). Example 26 : Z-(Me)Ser-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH 90% TFA (5 cm³) was added to Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (1.8 g, 1.3 mM; prepared as described in Example 16) and stirred at room temperature for four hours. The residue (after evaporating TFA under vacuo ) was applied directly on a silica gel column eluting with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (12:1). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white solid (1.3 g, 79%); m.p., 112-114°C; [α]²⁰ - 127° (c 0.9, CH₃ON). Calculated for C₆₄H₁₀₉N₁₁O₁₅.H₂O: C, 57.96; H, 8.68; N, 11.62. Found: C, 57.63; H, 8.31; N, 11.20%; m/z 1272 ( M +, DCI); R t 17.0 min. Example 27 : H-(Me)Ser-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH 10% Pd/C catalyst (0.12 g) was added to a stirred solution of Z-(Me)Ser-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH(1.2 g, 0.9 mM; prepared as described in Example 26) in CH₃OH (30 cm³) and the mixture hydrogenolysed for twenty-four hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to give the title compound (1.03 g, 96%); m.p., 135-137°C; [α]²⁰ - 142° (c 1.1, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₅₆H₁₀₃N₁₁O₁₃: C, 59.10; H, 9.76; N, 13.54. Found: C, 59.25; H, 9.67; N, 13.40%; m/z 1138 ( M ⁺, CI). Example 28 : Z-Hyp-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH 90% TFA (10 cm³) was added to Z-Hyp(Bu t )-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (4.3 g, 3.1 mM; prepared as described in Example 22) and the mixture stirred at room temperature for four hours. TFA was removed under vacuo and the residue purified on a silica gel column eluting with CH₂Cl₂:MeOH (15:1). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white solid (2.6g, 65%); m.p., 124-125°C; [α]²⁰ - 143.5° (c 0.6, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₆₅H₁₀₉N₁₁O₁₅.2H₂O: C, 59.14; H, 8.57; N, 11.68. Found: C, 59.18; H, 8.34; N, 11.16%; m/z 1283 ( M ⁺, CI); R t 9.2 min. Example 29 : H-Hyp-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH 10% Pd/C catalyst was added to a stirred solution of Z-Hyp-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH (2.6 g, 2 mM; prepared as described in Example 28) and the mixture hydrogenolysed for twenty-three hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to dryness to afford the title compound (2.2 g, 96%); m.p., 140-141°C; [α]²⁰ - 161.9° (c 1.0, CH₃OH); m/z 1149 ( M ⁺, EI). Example 30 : H-Dab(Fmoc)-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH.TFA 90% TFA (4 cm³) was added to Boc-Dab(Fmoc)-Abu-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (1 g, 0.7 mM; prepared as described in Example 21) with stirring at -20°C. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature with stirring for three and a half hours. TFA was evaporated and the residue triturated with ether, to give the title compound as a white solid (0.9 g, 100%); m.p., 119-120°C; [α]²⁰ - 101.8° (c 0.8, CH₃OH); m/z 1350 (M+1, FAB); R t 20.5 min.; (γ 278 nm). Example 31 : Z-(Me)Thr-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH Z-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala(Me)Leu-(Me) Leu- (Me)Val-OBu t (0.52 g, 0.40 mM; prepared as described in Example 17) was treated with 90% TFA (5 cm³) for two hours at room temperature and overnight at 0°C. Excess TFA was removed under vacuo and the residue chromatographed on Sephadex LH20 eluting with DMF. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white solid (0.32 g, 68%); m.p., 102-103°C; [α]²⁴ - 105.7° (c 1.2, CH₃OH); δ H (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.71 - 1.02 (39H, m, -CH₃-(Me)Leu, β-CH₃-(Me)Val, Val, CH₃-Nva), 1.11 (3H, d, CH₃-(Me)Thr), 1.14 - 1.26 (6H, d x d, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala), 1.27 - 1.30 (4H, m, β, γ, CH₂-Nva), 1.36 - 1.92 (12H, m, β-CH₂, γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 1.93 - 2.29 (2H, m, β-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 2.74 - 3.26 (21H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.19 (1H, m, β-CH(Me)Thr), 4.29 - 4.39 (2H, d x d, CH₂-Sar), 4.39 - 5.14 (8H, m, α-CH), 5.14 (2H, s, CH₂Ph), 5.41 - 5.55 (2H, m, α-CH), 6.37 (1H, br.d., NH-D-Ala), 7.18 (1H, br.s., NH-Val), 7.34 (5H, s, ArH), 7.61 7.77 (1H, br.s., NH-Ala), and 7.89 - 8.06 (1H, br.s., NH-Nva); m/z 1300 (M+1, FAB). Example 32 : H-(Me)Thr-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH Z-(Me)Thr-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH (300 mg, 0.19 mM; prepared as described in Example 31) in CH₃OH (20 cm ) was hydrogenated in the presence of 10% Pd/C (50 mg) for thirty-six hours under one atmosphere of pressure. The solution, after removal of the catalyst by filtration, was evaporated to give a solid, which was chromatographed on Sephadex G10 column eluting with water. The solid obtained after evaporation of water, was recrystallised from methanol/ether to give the title compound (260 mg, 88%); m.p., 122-124°C; [α]²⁴ - 144.1° (c 1.3, CH₃OH); m/z 1166 ( M +, DCI). Example 33 : Z-(Me)Ser-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me) Leu- (Me)Val-OBu t (1.2 g, 0.9 mM; prepared as described in Example 14) was treated with 90% TFA (6 cm³) at ambient temperature for two hours and at 0°C overnight. Removal of excess TFA, followed by silica gel chromatography using CH₂Cl₂/6% MeOH as eluants gave the title compound as a white solid (0.9 g, 60%); m.p., 110-112°C; [α]²⁴ - 134.9° (c 1.02, CH₃OH); R t 10.6 min.; m/z 1286 ( M +, EI). Example 34 : H-(Me)Ser-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH Z-(Me)Ser-Nva-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH (0.8 g, 0.6 mM; prepared as described in Example 33) in CH₃OH (50 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C for forty-eight hour at ambient temperature under one atmosphere of pressure. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the solvent was evaporated to give a solid, which was purified on a Sephadex G10 column eluting with water. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions afforded a solid which was crystallised from methanol/ether to give the title compound as a white solid (0.65 g, 83%); m.p., 192-194°C; [α]²⁴ -101.6°; m/z 1153 (M+1, FAB). Example 35 : Z-(Me)Thr-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH Z-(Me)Thr(Bu t )-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me) Leu- (Me)Val-OBu t (0.53 g, 0.40 mM; prepared as described in Example 18) was treated with 90% TFA (5 cm³) at room temperature for two hours and overnight at 0°C. Excess TFA was removed under vacuo and the residue chromatographed on Sephadex LH20 column eluting with DMF. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions afforded the title compound as a white solid (0.31 g, 60%); m.p., 103-105°C; [α]25 - 108.8° (c 1.1, CH₃OH); δH (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.70 - 1.03 (39H, m, β-CH₃-(Me)Val, Val, γ-CH₃-(Me)Leu, CH₃-nLe), 1.12 (3H, d, CH₃-(Me)Thr), 1.13 - 1.26 (6H, d x d, CH₃-Ala, D-Ala), 1.26 - 1.29 (6H, m, CH₂-Nle), 1.36 - 1.91 (12H, m, β-CH₂, γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 1.92 - 2.02 (2H, m, β-CH-Val, (Me)Val), 2.75 - 3.25 (21H, series of s, N-CH₃), 4.18 (1H, m, β-CH-(Me)Thr). 4.28 - 4.38 (2H, br.d., CH₂-Sar), 4.38 - 5.16 (8H, m, α-CH), 5.15 (2H, s, C H ₂-Ph), 5.20 - 5.53 (2H, m, α-CH), 6.38 - 7.14 (1H, m, NH-D- Ala), 7.15 - 7.21 (1H, br.m., NH-Val), 7.35 (5H, s, ArH). 7.60 - 7.76 (1H, br.d., NH-Ala), and 7.89 - 8.06 (1H, br.d., NH-Nle); m/z 1314 (M+1, FAB). Example 36 : H-(Me)Thr-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH Z-(Me)Thr-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH (0.28 g, 0.18 mM; prepared as described in Example 35) in CH₃OH (20 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C (50 mg) for forty-eight hours at one atmosphere of pressure. The solution, after removal of the catalyst by filtration, was evaporated to dryness and the residue chromatographed on a Sephadex G10 column, eluting with water. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions afforded the title compound which was recrystallised from methanol/ether (0.220 g, 89%); m.p.,120-122°C; [α]²⁴ - 161.6° (c 1.2, CH₃OH); m/z 1181 (M+1, FAB). Example 37 : Z-(Me)Ser-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me) Leu- (Me)Val-OBu t (1.41 g, 1 mM; prepared as described in Example 13) was treated with 90% TEA (5 cm³) at ambient temperature far two hours and at 0°C overnight. Excess TEA was evaporated (under vacuo ) and the residue purified on a silica gel column eluting with CHCl₃/5% MeOH. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white foam, (0.91 g, 75%); [α]² - 106.3° (c 1.2, CH₃OH); m/z 1314; ( M +, DCI); R t 11.4 min. Example 38 : H-(Me)Ser-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH Z-(Me)Ser-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH (0.9 g, 0.73 mM; prepared as described in Example 37) in CH₃OH (50 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C (0.1 g) for forty hours at one atmosphere of pressure. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the solvent evaporated to give a solid, which was chromatographed on a Sephadex G10 column eluting with water. The residue obtained was solidified by trituration with ether and the triturated with ether/petroleum ether, to give the title compound as a white solid (0.75 g, 81%); m.p., 78-79°C; [α]²⁴ - 136.1° (c 1.0, CH₃OH); m/z (1167) (M+1, FAB). Example 39 : Z-Hyp-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH Z-Hyp(Bu t )-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (2.8 g, 1.97 mM; prepared as described in Example 23) was treated with 90% TFA (5 cm³) at ambient temperature for one hour and -5° overnight. Excess TFA was removed under vacuo and the residue chromatographed on a silica gel column eluting with CHCl₃/5% MeOH. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white solid (2.0 g, 77%); m.p., 120-122°C; [α]²⁴ - 141.8° (c 1.0, CH₃OH); δH (250 MHz, CDCl₃), 0.72 - 1.06 (39H, m, γ-CH₃-(Me)Leu, β-CH₃-(Me)Val, Val, CH₃-NLe), 1.15 - 1.25 (6H, d x d, CH₃Ala, D-Ala), 1.28 (6H, m, CH₂-Nle), 1.36 - 1.80 (m, β-CH₂, γ-CH-(Me)Leu), 1.85 - 2.26 (m, β-CH-(Me)Val, Val, Hyp), 2.78 - 3.29 (18H, series of s, N-CH₃), 3.23 - 4.25 (3H, m, γ-CH, δ-CH₂-Hyp), 4.32 (2H, d, CH₂-Sar), 4.37 - 5.10 (8H, m, α-CH), 5.11 (2H, s, Ph-CH₂), 5.43 - 5.52 (2H, m, α-CH), 6.40 (1H, br.s., NH-D-Ala), 7.28 (5H, s, ArH). 8.07 - 8.39 (3H, br.m., -NH); R t 11.4 min.; m/z 1312 (M+1, FAB). Example 40 : H-Hyp-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH Z-Hyp-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH (2.62 g, 2 mM; prepared as described in Example 39) in CH₃OH (50 cm³) was hydrogenolysed in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst (0.15 g) for forty-eight hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to give a solid, which was chromatographed on a Sephadex G10 column eluting with water. Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white solid (1.8 g, 79%); m.p., 139-141°C; [α]²³ - 127.8° (c 1.2, CH₃OH); m/z 1178 (M+1, FAB). Example 41 : Z-(Me)Ser-Thr-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH 90% TFA (5 cm³) was added to Z-(Me)Ser(Bu t )-Thr(Bu t )-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OBu t (0.9 g, 0.6 mM; prepared as described in Example 15) and the mixture stirred at room temperature for four hours. The residue, after evaporating TFA was applied directly on a silica gel column eluting with CH₂Cl₂:MeOH (12:1). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave the title compound as a white solid (0.4 g, 50%); m.p., 119-120°C; [α]²⁰ -146.6° (c 1.1, CH₃OH). Calculated for C₆₉H₁₀₉N₁₁O₁₆l.H₂O: C, 58.14; H, 8.41; N, 11.66. Found: C, 57.90; H, 8.33; N, 11.35%; m/z 1287 ( M ⁺, DCI); R t 8.1 min. Example 42 : H-(Me)Ser-Thr-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH 10% Pd/C catalyst (0.3 g) was added to a solution of Z-(Me)Ser)-Thr-Sar-(Me)Leu)-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-D-Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH (300 mg, 0.23 mM; prepared as described in Example 41) in CH₃OH (20 cm³) and the mixture hydrogenolysed for forty-six hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to dryness to give the title compound as a white solid (0.23 g, 95%); m.p., 140-141°C; [α]²⁰ - 141° (c 0.9, CH₃OH); m/z 1153 (M+, DCI). Example 43 : In vitro tests of activity The activity of compounds of formula (I) was compared with that of cyclosporin A (CsA) in a mixed leucocyte culture using mouse lymphocytes and allogeneic dendritic cells (DC). In this procedure antigens on the DC surface are presented to the lymphocytes which are stimulated to proliferate thus mimicking a graft rejection response in vitro . Cyclosporin blocks this reaction by an effect on the function of the antigen-presenting DC as described by Knight and Bedford, Transplantation Proceedings, 1987, 19 , 320. The cyclosporin-like activity of the compounds of the present invention can therefore be studied by comparing the response of lymphocytes to DC, in the presence of the compound or of CsA, in terms of ³H thymidine uptake for incorporation into DNA. Preparation of lymphocytes Mouse lymph nodes were pressed through wire mesh to give a single cell suspension. The suspension was incubated on a nylon wool column for 2 hours, and non-adherent cells eluted to give a T-lymphocyte enriched cell suspension. Preparation of DC Single cell suspensions of mouse spleens were incubated overnight at 37°C in plastic culture flasks. Non-adherent cells were spun over a 14.25% w/v metrizamide gradient and the low-density DC recovered. Test procedure DC were pulsed for 2 hours with a range of doses of the compound under test or of CsA, then washed 4 times. Mixed leukocyte cultures were set up in Terasaki plates in 20 µl hanging drops containing 500 DC and 100,000 lymphocytes. Uptake of ³H thymidine (2 Ci/mM) into DNA in a 2 hour pulse on day 3 of culture was measured. The procedure is described in detail by Knight in "Lymphocytes - a practical approach", Edited by Klaus, IRL Press (Oxford/Washington), 1987, 189. Typical results are illustrated in the accompanying Figure for the compounds H-Hyp-Nle-Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-(D)Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH and Sar-(Me)Leu-Val-(Me)Leu-Ala-(D)Ala-(Me)Leu-(Me)Leu-(Me)Val-OH which are identified respectively as (A) and (B) in the Figure.

Claims: An acyclic undecapeptide which corresponds to a cyclosporin cleaved between positions 1 and 11, or such an undecapeptide in which one or both of the terminal amino or methylamino and carboxy groups have been derivatised. An acyclic undecapeptide according to Claim 1 having the formula (I) H-A₁-A₂-A₃-A₄-A₅-A₆-A₇-A₈-A₉-A₁₀-A₁₁-OH (I) in which A1 is either derived from 2-carboxypyrrolidine, which may optionally be substituted on a ring carbon atom other than that at position 2 by an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group and/or by an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group, or is an amino acid residue wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, X represents an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group, R represents hydrogen or an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group and R' represents hydrogen or a methyl group; A2 is an amino acid residue wherein R₁ is an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group optionally substituted at the C₁ position of the group R₁ by an amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group; A₃ is a sarcosine residue; A₄ is an N-methyl-leucine residue; A₅ is a valine residue; A₆ is an N-methyl-leucine residue; A₇ is an alanine residue; A₈ is an alanine residue; A₉ is an N-methyl-leucine residue; A₁₀ is an N-methyl-leucine or sarcosine residue; and A₁₁ is an N-methylvaline residue; or such an acyclic undecapeptide in which one or more of the terminal amino or methylamino and carboxy groups and any amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group present in A₁ or A₂ has been derivatised. An undecapeptide according to Claim 2, in which A₁ is derived from 3- or 4-hydroxyproline. An undecapeptide according to Claim 2, in which A₁ is an amino acid residue in which n is 0 or 1, X is hydroxy or amino and R is hydrogen or a C₁₋₆ alkyl or alkenyl group. An undecapeptide according to Claim 2, 3 or 4, in which A₂ is an amino acid residue wherein R₁ is a C₁₋₆ alkyl group or such a group substituted at the C₁ position thereof by a hydroxy group. An undecapeptide according to any of Claims 2 to 5, in which A₁₀ is derived from N-methyl-leucine. An acyclic undecapeptide according to Claim 2 which is of formula (II) in which all of the amino acid residues are of the L-configuration at the alpha carbon atom, except in the one case indicated, and the full configuration of the (Me)Bmt residue is S,R,R, or which has a formula which is a variation of formula (II) in which (Me)Bmt is replaced by the dihydroversion thereof, by (Me)Ser, (Me)Thr, (Me)Cys, Dab, Dpr or Hyp or its 3-hydroxy equivalent and/or in which Abu is replaced by Thr, Nva, Nle, Ser, Ala or Val, or a derivative thereof in which one or more of the terminal methylamino or amino and carboxy groups and any amino, mercapto or hydroxy group in (Me)Bmt or Abu or their replacement in a variant from formula (II) has been derivatised. An acyclic decapeptide, nonapeptide or octapeptide of the respective formulae H-A₂-A₃-A₄-A₅-A₆-A₇-A₈-A₉-A₁₀-A₁₁-OH (III) H-A₃-A₄-A₅-A₆-A₇-A₈-A₉-A₁₀-A₁₁-OH (IV) H-A₄-A₅-A₆-A₇-A₈-A₉-A₁₀-A₁₁-OH (V) in which A₂ to A₁₁ are as defined in Claim 2, or such an acyclic peptide in which one or more of the terminal amino or methylamino and carboxy groups and any amino, methylamino, mercapto or hydroxy group present in A₂ has been derivatised. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an acyclic peptide according to any of the preceding claims, or a physiologically acceptable derivative thereof in which one or more of said amino, methylamino, mercapto, hydroxy and carboxy groups has been derivatised together with a physiologically acceptable diluent or carrier. An acyclic peptide according to any of the preceding claims, or a physiologically acceptable derivative thereof in which one or more of said amino, methylamino, mercapto, hydroxy and carboxy groups has been derivatised, for use in therapy.

Inventors: GALPIN, IAN JAMES
Applicants: BRITISH TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED
Application year: 1988
Main classification: C07K7
IPC codes: A61P37, A61K38, A61P29, A61P31, C07K7