Abstract A convenient one-pot synthesis of phenylseleno N-acetyl α-amino acids, PhSeCH 2 C (O) NHC (R) COOH (R= H (1), Me (2), PhCH 2 (3), 4-HOC 6 H 4 CH 2 (4) and CH 2 OH (5)) is reported. These compounds have been characterized by microanalyses, UV–Vis, IR and NMR (1 H, 13 C, 77 Se) spectroscopy. The molecular structures of [PhSeCH 2 CONHCH 2 COOH](1),[PhSeCH 2 CONHCH (CH 2 C 6 H 4 OH-4) COOH](4) and [ ...