Further envisaged compounds, i.e., 9 and 11-14, were synthesized as shown in Scheme 2. To prepare the aldehydes 9a-c, the ethyl esters 3a-c were reduced with NaBH4 in MeOH/THF to give the corresponding alcohols 8a-c. These were oxidized with Dess-Martin periodinane, and the desired aldehydes 9a-c were obtained. Compound 9a was converted through a condensation-dehydration sequence with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and TiCl4 in pyridine to give the nitrile 11a. Two aldehydes, 9a-b, were employed as substrates for HWE (Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons) reactions, yielding the corresponding vinyl sulfones 12a-b or β-substituted acrylamides 13a-b. From the acrylamides, acrylonitriles 14a-b were prepared by dehydration with cyanuric chloride. Furthermore, esters 3b-h were converted with methanolic ammonia to primary carboxamides 10b-h, which were then dehydrated to 11b-h, representing the majority of acylated dipeptide nitriles.