A straightforward metal-free synthesis of anti-β-hydroxy-α-amino acids is described. The organic base-mediated decarboxylative aldol reaction of cheap, readily available α-amidohemimalonates with various aldehydes afforded under very mild conditions anti-β-hydroxy-α-amido esters in high yields and complete diastereoselectivity. Simple one-pot subsequent transformations enabled the corresponding anti-β-hydroxy-α-amino acids or in a few examples their syn diastereomers to be obtained directly using epimerization conditions.

A new class of thioamide‐substituted cinchona derivatives is reported. A convergent and practical approach was developed to insert the thioamide functional group onto the cinchonidine from readily available dithioesters. These organocatalysts were effective in asymmetric decarboxylative Mannich and protonation reactions of α‐amido‐substituted malonic acid half oxyesters (MAHOs), affording α,β‐ and α‐amino acid derivatives, respectively, in good yields and stereoselectivities.