Synthesis of pseudopeptides 6a–f and 7a,b. Reagents: (i) for 2a,b: Phe–OMe.HCl, EDC, HOBt, TEA, DCM; for 2c–f: Phe–OMe.HCl, TEA, DCM; (ii) a: H2, Pd/C, MeOH, TFA; b: Boc–Tyr–OH, EDC, HOBt, TEA, DCM; (iii) a: 1 M NaOH, MeOH; b: Phe-NH2HCl, EDC, HOBt, TEA, DCM; (iv) a: 1 M NaOH, MeOH; b: Pro-NH2HCl, EDC, HOBt, TEA, DCM; (v) TFA/H2O 95:5. Structures of Xaa residues are reported in Fig. 1.