The facile production of N-methyl amino acids via oxazolidinones

A range of oxazolidinones derived from N-carbamoyl alpha-amino acids were prepared by an efficient method as key intermediates in the synthesis of N-methyl amino acids and peptides. The method was readily applied to most alpha-amino acids except those with basic side chains. The oxazolidinones were converted by reductive cleavage into N-methyl alpha-amino acids.