Diphenylalanine

Diphenylalanine is an unnatural amino acid. It is similar to the two amino acids alanine and phenylalanine. It has been used for the synthesis of pseudopeptide analogues which are capable to inhibit certain enzymes.

A possible synthesis starts from 3,3-diphenyl-propionic acid which is stereoselective aminated to the diphenylalanine.