A series of (4β-substituted)-l-prolylpyrrolidine analogs lacking the electrophilic nitrile function were synthesized and their dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activity and duration of ex vivo activity were evaluated. Structural optimization of a N-(3-phenyl-1, 2, 4- thiadiazol-5-yl) piperazine analog 8, which was found by high-speed analog synthesis, was carried out to improve the potency and duration of action. A representative compound 26 ...