An asymmetric synthesis of l‐[3‐13C]alanine

l ‐3‐¹³C]Alanine was synthesized from ¹³C]methyl iodide by using Dellaria's oxazinone, prepared from phenyl2‐¹³C]bromoacetate and (S)‐2‐phenylglycinol, as a chiral glycine equivalent. Alkylation of the oxazinone with ¹³C]methyl iodide was achieved with high diastereoselectivity. Hydrolysis and removal of the chiral auxiliary of the alkylated oxazinone gave l ‐3‐¹³C]alanine. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.