Boc-(R)-α-phenylproline ethyl ester 1 was prepared in good yield starting from racemic phenylglycine. Condensation of phenylglycine ethyl ester with benzaldehyde furnished N- benzylidene phenylglycine ethyl ester which was allylated under phase transfer catalysis conditions. After acidic hydrolysis, the resulting α-allylphenylglycine ethyl ester was enzymatically resolved using PLE. Hydroboration and oxidation of the double bond, Boc- ...