A convenient synthesis of optically active phenylglycine

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(95)02170-1

Optically active R phenylglycine methyl ester hydrochloride (ee = 98%) was prepared in 90% yield from racemic phenylglycine. The key step was the base catalysed diastereoselective addition at -78°C of R pantolactone to the N-phthalyl protected phenylglycine ketene.