A description is given of the synthesis of the dipeptides L-carnosine, N-4-aminobutyryl-L-histidine, and N-DL-alanyl-L-histidine from p-nitrophenyl esters of phthalimido acids and histidine methyl ester in over-all yields of about 40%, based on the histidine taken. The phthaloyl group was introduced by the action of phthalic acid, histidine was esterified with the aid of thionyl chloride, and p-nitrophenylesters were prepared by the action of p-nitrophenol on the N-phthaloyl amino acids in presence of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride.