Abstract γ-Oxo α-amino acids and γ-aryl α-amino acids are compounds with very interesting biological properties and are active components of many drug molecules. Oxo amino acids are also used as synthetic precursors for a number of unnatural amino acids and amino alcohols. We report a very efficient synthesis of such compounds through the coupling of aromatic dithianes, prepared from aromatic aldehydes and an iodide derivative of serine. ...