Short alpha/beta-peptides as catalysts for intra- and intermolecular aldol reactions.

Short alpha/beta-peptides, containing conformationally restricted cis-beta-aminocyclopropylcarboxylic acid units as turn-inducing elements, have been found to be efficient catalysts for inter- and intramolecular aldol reactions. The tripeptide H-(L)-Pro-black triangle-(L)-Pro-OH was identified to perform especially well in homogeneous and heterogeneous aqueous solutions as well as in organic solvents.