A practical and efficient methodology for the laboratory scale preparation of Schöllkopf's bis- lactim ether chiral auxiliaries (3S)-and (3R)-3, 6-dihydro-2, 5-diethoxy-3-isopropyl-pyrazine has been developed. The key step is the preparation of the 2, 5-diketopiperazine derivative by microwave-assisted heating in water. The protocol avoids reactions at low temperature and the use of high boiling solvents. Only inexpensive and readily available starting ...