The condensation of methyl 1-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylate (I) with N-benzyloxycarbonyl-alanine (II) by the mixed anhydride method gives methyl 1-(benzyloxycarbonyl-alanyl)aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylate (III). Debenzylation of (III) by hydrogenation with H2 over Pd/C in methanol followed by a cyclization reaction in refluxing toluene yields alaptide.