The base-promoted cyclization of optically pure
N-(
p-methoxybenzyl)-
N-(2-chloro)propionyl amino acid derivatives resulted in a diastereo- andenantioselective approach to valuable 1,3,4,4-tetrasubstituted
-lactams. The stereochemical outcome of the reaction is exclusively governedby the configuration of the
N-(2-chloro)propionyl moiety.