The Reformatsky reagent tert-butoxycarbonylmethylzinc bromide adds in high yields to N- sulfonylimines, eg 1a–1d, derived by condensation of benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal with methanesulfonamide, toluene-4-sulfonamide, 4-(methoxycarbonyl) benzenesulfonamide and sulfamide: the products are protected β-amino acids 2a–2d. N-Deprotection occurs reductively (Na-naphthalene; low yields) for 2b and 2c or hydrolytically (refluxing aq. ...