A direct asymmetric reductive amination of α-keto acids catalyzed by Cp*Ir complexes bearing a chiral N-(2-picolyl)sulfonamidato ligand is described. The combined use of optically active 2-phenyglycinol as an aminating agent is effective for the chemo- and stereoselective transfer hydrogenation using formic acid. The subsequent elimination of the hydroxyethyl moiety by orthoperiodic acid can afford
L-α-Amino acids including L-α-arylglycines were conveniently and stereoselectively synthesized via the α-amino carbonitriles given by the Strecker reaction of (R)-2-amino-2-phenylethanol with aldehydes and hydrogen cyanide. The stereoselectivity of these α-amino carbonitriles was thermodynamically controlled.