The 5-endo radical cyclisation of pyruvic acid derived dehydroalanines which contain chiral ester auxiliaries is reported. Cyclisation of the menthol ester derivative using Bu3SnH at 80° C proceeded with low diastereoselectivity (1.75: 1) but the selectivity could be increased to 6: 1 on cyclisation of the corresponding 8-phenylmenthyl ester at 20° C.