An efficient and scalable synthesis of N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-and N-(methyloxycarbonyl)-(S)- vinylglycinol has been reported starting from the commercially available (l)-methionine. The scale-up preparation consisted of 5 steps and delivered up to 50g of the desired N-protected β-amino alcohols in 32% and 36% overall yields.
[Debenham, John S.; Madsen, Robert; Roberts, Carmichael; Fraser-Reid, Bert Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1995 , vol. 117, # 11 p. 3302 - 3303]