The reactions of Boc-β-amido- and β-amino acrylates, in which the CC possesses both nucleophilic and electrophilic sites, were investigated under acidic conditions. The trifluoroacetic-acid induced cyclization of the β-amido acrylates to the corresponding oxazolidin-2-ones involves a rarely seen nucleophilic attack of the carbamate carbonyl group. The cyclotrimerization of β-amino acrylates to N-substituted