Novel strategy for the synthesis of fluorinated β-amino acid derivatives from Δ2-oxazolines

Racemic and chiral non-racemic β-fluoroalkyl-β-amino acid derivatives have been prepared in two steps starting from 2-alkyl-Δ2-oxazolines and fluorinated imidoyl chlorides. Subsequent chemoselective reduction of the C-masked β-enamino acid derivatives initially formed provided the target β-amino acids. The process takes place with total chemoselectivity, high yields and satisfactory diastereoselectivity.