Abstract A new strategy was developed for the synthesis of a valuable class of α- aminomethylacrylates via the Baylis–Hillman reaction of different aldehydes with methyl acrylate followed by acetylation of the resulting allylic alcohols and SN 2′-type amination of the allylic acetates. Asymmetric hydrogenation of these diverse olefinic precursors using rhodium (Et-Duphos) catalysts provided the corresponding β 2-amino acid derivatives with ...