The synthesis of the antimicrobial cyclic peptide xenematide was accomplished by Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis and the key esterification reaction was achieved using a modified Yamaguchi esterification. Comparison of the optical rotation and NMR data of the synthesized diastereomers to that of the natural product confirmed the structure of xenematide to be PA-L-[Thr-L-Trp-D-Trp-β-Ala]. (PA = phenylacetyl).