Straightforward synthesis of novel enantiopure α-trifluoromethylated azetidine 2-carboxylic acid and homoserines.

The straightforward syntheses of enantiopure (2R)-2-trifluoromethyl-2-carboxyazetidine and (R)- and (S)-trifluoromethylhomoserines are reported. The key step is a Strecker-type reaction on a common chiral CF3-containing bicyclic oxazolidine intermediate obtained by a condensation reaction of (R)-phenylglycinol and ethyl-4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate (ETFAA).