The synthesis of a series of RGD mimetics is described. All compounds have a 1.4:3.6-dianhydrohexitol core, a variable linker to a guanidino group. and a serine ether to mimic the carboxylic acid. Two types of linkers were combined with 1.4:3.6-dianhydro-D-sorbitol (1 - 4) and with 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-L-iditol (5). The five compounds were tested as potential integrin antagonists in a receptor binding assay (alpha(IIb)beta(3) alpha(v)beta(3), and alpha(v)beta(5) type). Receptor binding activities in the mu mol range were observed, (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.