A new, mild two-step synthesis of racemic p-amino acids starting from 2-allkyl-Delta (2)-oxazolines is described. The process implies the initial formation of masked N-substituted or N-unsubstituted beta -enamino acid derivatives followed by chemoselective reduction of the enamino moiety. The process takes place with high yields, total chemoselectivity and moderate diastereoselectivity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.