Studies on the synthesis of amino acids XIII. Dibenzylation of 2-phenyl-2-oxazolin-5-one

4,4-Dibenzyl-2-phenyl-2-oxazollin-5-ones are prepared by one step reaction of 2-phenyl-2-oxazolin-5-one with magnesium methyl carbonate (MMC) and benzylhalides. It is a novel and convenient method for the synthesis of α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids by hydrolysis of 4,4-dibenzyl-2-phenyl-2-oxazolin-5-ones.