Novel preparation of chiral α-amino acids using the Mitsunobu-Tsunoda reactionElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details for the synthesis and characterization data, copies of 1H and 13C NMR and chiral HPLC spectra. See DOI: 10.1039/c3cc44717k

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. A practical high throughput synthesis of non-proteinogenic enantiopure α-amino acids by modified-Mitsunobu alkylation of chiral masked glycine template from readily available alcohols was developed.