2-(1-Aminoalkyl) oxazole-4 and 5-carboxylates are available, without detectable racemisation, by a sequence involving N-acylation of isoxazol-5 (2H) one carboxylates with phthalimidoamino acids, photolysis of the acylated product, and hydrazinolysis. An application of the procedure to the synthesis of almazole A and B is described.