Chiral oxazolidines obtained by condensation of aldehydes with (-).(R)- or (+).(S)-N-benzylphenylglycinol react with the Reformatsky reagent derived from ethylbromoacetate, in mild reaction conditions (Et2O or CH2Cl2, 0°C, 15-60 min), leading to ethyl β-amino carboxylates in moderate to good diastereomeric excess (60-92%). These ring opening products are transformed into primary β-aminoesters, in