A new and expeditious strategy for the synthesis of β-amino acids from Δ2-oxazolines

A new, mild two-step synthesis of racemic β-amino acids starting from 2-alkyl-Δ2-oxazolines is described. The process implies the initial formation of masked N-substituted or N-unsubstituted β-enamino acid derivatives followed by chemoselective reduction of the enamino moiety. The process takes place with high yields, total chemoselectivity and moderate diastereoselectivity.