Novel preparation of chiral α-amino acids using the Mitsunobu-Tsunoda reaction.

An efficient synthesis of racemic or optically active α-amino acids by modified-Mitsunobu alkylation of a racemic or chiral glycine template from alcohols was developed. Libraries of amino acids were prepared in moderate to good yield with good to high enantioselectivity. This simple method widens the scope for preparation of structurally diverse amino acids.