We describe an original asymmetric synthesis of (S)-α-methylDOPA proceeding by the concept of memory of chirality, the only source of chirality being the starting D-alanine. The initial chirality of the amino acid is temporarily transferred to a dynamic axial chirality of a tertiary aromatic amide. The (S)-α-methylDOPA hydrochloride is obtained after four steps with 98% ee.

Frozen: the spontaneous crystallization of an achiral compound in a chiral conformation is used as the unique source of chirality in an absolute asymmetric synthesis of tertiary amino acids. The dynamic axial chirality of tertiary aromatic amides is frozen in a crystal and is responsible for the stereoselectivity of the deprotonation/alkylation. α-Amino acid derivatives are synthesized in up to 96 % ee.