A reaction of (S)-2-benzyl-2-(alpha-methylbenzyl)amino-1,3-propanediol (S)-4a and 2-chloroethyl chloroformate, and the subsequent addition of DBU gave (4R,alpha S)-4-benzyl-4-hydroxymethyl-3-(alpha-methylbenzyl)-2-oxazolidinone (4R)-5a (92% de) via a diastereoselective asymmetric desymmetrization process. Debenzylation of (4R)-5a using trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and anisole in MeNO2 gave (R)-4-benzyl-4-hydroxymethyl-2-oxazolidinone (R)-15a, which was converted into (R)-(alpha-hydroxymethyl) phenylalanine (7) in two steps. N-Boc-alpha-methylphenylalanine (8), cericlamiOne (9) and BIRT-377 (10) were also synthesized using these asymmetric desymmetrization and debenzylation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.