This review describes available methods for the preparation of α-aminoboronic acids in their racemic or in their enantiopure form. Both, highly stereoselective syntheses and asymmetric procedures leading to the stereocontrolled generation of α-aminoboronic acid derivatives are included. The preparation of acyclic, carbocyclic and azacyclic α-aminoboronic acid derivatives is covered. Within each section, the different synthetic approaches have been classified according to the key bond which is formed to complete the α-aminoboronic acid skeleton.

The combination of in situ generated α-isocyanato allylboronic esters and aldehydes afforded seven-membered-ring enecarbamates with high levels of diastereo- and enantiocontrol. They were easily converted into diversely substituted 1,3-oxazepan-2-ones. An unprecedented rearrangement of 5-acetoxy-7-aryl or styryl derivatives led to tetrasubstituted pyrrolidines. A computational study provides evidence on the feasibility of the proposed mechanism of this unusual ring contraction.