A short synthesis of each enantiomer of 2,3-diaminopropyl hydrogensulfate is described starting from (2R)- and (2S)-asparagine. The compounds serve as inhibitors for pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent (2S)-glutamate l-semialdehyde aminotransferase, a target for selective herbicides and antibacterial agents on the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway. The (2R)-enantiomer, as predicted, serves as a potent irreversible inactivator. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.