We describe a generalized approach to stereocontrolled synthesis of substituted cyclic hydroxamic acids (3-amino-1-hydroxy-3, 4-dihydroquinolinones) by selective reduction of substituted 2-nitrophenylalanine substrates. Compounds in this series have antibacterial properties and have also recently been reported as KAT II inhibitors. The key nitrophenyl alanine intermediates are prepared enantioselectively in excellent yield by phase transfer ...