Synthesis of a constrained bicyclic Gly-Asn dipeptide isostere

δ-Amino acids are very attractive in drug discovery, especially in the peptidomimetic area, because of their capability to act as dipeptide isosteres and reverse turn mimetics. Herein we report the synthesis of a rigid δ-amino acid constrained by a 3-aza-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-based scaffold, which can be considered as a Gly-Asn dipeptide mimetic. Key steps are the condensation of glycidol and tartaric acid derivatives, and the intramolecular trans-acetalization of the oxidized adduct to give the bicyclic δ-amino acid. Starting from L-tartaric acid derivative, it was achieved the corresponding Gly-D-Asn isostere, whereas from the enantiomeric D-tartaric acid derivative the corresponding Gly-L-Asn isostere could be obtained, thus giving access to both enantiomeric dipeptide sequences.