A short, reliable, and cheap synthesis of both enantiomers of P-proline, an efficient organocatalyst and all important building block in medicinal chemistry, has been developed in four steps (overall yield: 72%) from the diasteromeric adducts of methyl itaconate and (R)-alpha-methylbenzylamine. The key step involves the chemoselective reduction of a lactam group in the presence of a benzyl ester. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.