alpha-Hydroxy-beta-amino acids were synthesized with excellent yields for the first time in water and by a simple procedure based on a copper catalytic cycle, which included the recovery and reuse of the catalyst and is possible to realize by using only water as reaction medium.
PEARSON, WILLIAM H.;HINES, JENNIFER V., J. ORG. CHEM., 54,(1989) N7, C. 4235-4237