Studies of 2-Substituted 1,3-Oxazolidin-5-ones and 1,3-Oxazinan-6-ones as Precursors for the Synthesis of N-Alkyl-beta-Amino Acids

1,3-Oxazolidin-5-ones and 1,3-oxazinan-6-ones have been shown to be useful precursors for the synthesis of N-methyl alpha- and beta-amino acids, respectively. The methodology has now been expanded to allow for the synthesis of N-alkyl-beta-amino acids.