An improved synthesis of a family of amino acids that contain ω-aminoalkyl groups and of a new family containing ω-carboxyalkyl groups linked to the α-amine is described. The synthesis was performed by alkylation of suitably monoprotected alkylenediamines and protected ω-amino acids with triflates of α-hydroxy acid esters. The reaction proceeded with inversion of configuration yielding optically pure products. The N α-(ω-aminoalkyl) amino ...