Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Methylserines

Abstract

Optically active amino acids not occurring in nature, are of interest, e.g. as potential enzyme inhibitors or as pharmaceuticals. Reaction of the lithiated lactim ether (1) obtainable from cyclo-(L-Ala-L-Ala) with carbonyl compounds and hydrolysis affords the α-methylserines (2) (and alanine).