We reported efficient enantioselective synthetic methodologies for (
R)-
-alkylcysteines and (
S)-
-alkylcysteines. Thephase-transfer catalytic alkylation of 2-phenyl-2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid
tert-butyl ester and 2-
o-biphenyl-2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid
tert-butyl ester, in the presence ofchiral catalysts (
1 or
2), gave the corresponding alkylatedproducts, which could be hydrolyzed to provide (
R)-
-alkylcysteines (67->99% ee) and (
S)-
-alkylcysteines (66-88% ee), respectively.