A new family of pyrrole-based amino acids have been prepared through the microwave assisted Paal-Knorr reaction of 1-4 ketoesters derived from the corresponding beta-ketoester with a functional homologation. The carboxylic group is located in position 3 of the pyrrole, whereas the amino group, protected with the Cbz moiety, is present on the side chain in positions I or 2. These compounds were used to prepare constrained oligopeptides. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.