Optically active 5(4/f)-oxazoloncs havc bccn synthcsizcd from L-tryptophan and an cxccss of trifluoro-, Lrichloro-, and dicliloroacctic anhydrides. Some of thc 5(4/f)-oxazolones havc bccn furlhcr uansfonncd to thc isomeric fi(Z/~-oxazoloncs as wcll as oxazoloncs wilh cxocyclic doublc bonds. Trcalmcnt of lhc various oxazoloncs undcr hydrolytic, acidic and Fricdcl-CralLs acylation conditions gavc indole-3-pyruvic acid, a,P-dchydrotrypiophans, j3-carbolincs as wcll as thc functionalizcd cyclopcntanoindolc 32. Trcatmcnt ol the 4-(3-indolylmclhyl)-2-Lrinuoromcdlyl-5(Z//)-ox~olonc (17) with uifluoroacctic acid gavc Ui c 3,4-bridgcd azcpinoindolc 35.Introduction: