The racemization of an N-methylamino-acid residue during peptide-bond formationand mixed-anhydride activation has been investigated using Ala-MeLeu-Gly and Ala-MeLeu as model peptides. The results were compared with those for Ala-Leu-Gly, Ala-Leu, and Ala-Pro. The extents of racemization were determined by analysis of the diastereomeric products of the reactions after deprotection, using an amino-acid analyzer. Extensive racemization was detected after the hydrolysis of the mixed anhydrides of Bz-MeLeu, Z-Ala-MeLeu, and Z-Ala-Leu, but not of Boc-Ala-Pro and Z-MeIle. Significant racemization (2.8-39%) was observed when Z-Ala-MeLeu was coupled with Gly-OBzl by various methods in the presence of salts such a s triethylamine hydrochloride orp-toluenesulfonate. Only coupling through the N-hydroxysuccinimide (HONSu) ester gave stereochemically pure product. In the absence of salt, less racemization was observed, but only couplings using N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-l,2-dihydroquinoline and N,N1-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-HONSu gave essentially pure products. Polar solvents promoted racemization, but excess base did not. Chemical evidence that the racemization intermediate is an oxazolium-5-oxide has been obtained by trapping the intermediate a s an addition product (a pyrrole) in 85% yield.The yields obtained by various coupling methods have been determined for several model peptides. Couplings at the carboxyl group of an N-methylamino acid gave high yields only in the absence of salt, except for coupling by the HONSu ester method. Couplings to an N-methylamino group gave high yields, except for coupling by thep-nitrophenyl ester method. Couplings to Ala-MeLeu-OBu' gave higher yields than couplings to Ala-MeLeu-OBzl, presumably due to piperazine-dione formation by the latter. Une racemisation importante a CtC dCtectte apres hydrolyse des anhydrides mixtes de Bz-MeLeu, Z-Ala-MeLeu et Z-Ala-Leu mais pas pour Boc-Ala-Pro e t Z-MeIle. Une racemisation notables (2.b39%) a etC observCe lors du couplage du Z-Ala-MeLeu sur le Gly-OBzl par les diverses mithodes en prisence de sels tels que le chlorohydrate ou para toluene sulfonate de triethylamine. Seul le couplage par I'ester d e La N-hydroxy succinimide (HONSu) conduit 2 un produit d e puretC sttreochimique. En l'absence de sel, la racemisation est plus faible mais seuls les couplages par le NCthoxycarbonyl Cthoxy-2 dihydro-1,2 quinoleine et le complexe N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-HONSu donnent des produits essentiellement purs. Les solvants polaires favorisent la racCmisation mais pas un exces d e base. L'intermCdiaire de racemisation oxyde-5 d'oxazolium a it6 rnis en evidence par piegeage sous forme de produits d'addition (un pyrrole) avec un rendement de 85%.Les rendements obtenus dans les divers couplages ont ete dCterminCs sur differents peptides modeles.