The selenides, protected β,γ-unsaturated-α-amino acids, and β,γ-unsaturated-α-amino acids described herein were characterized by 1 H NMR, IR, and low resolution MS. Selected selenides, protected β,γ-unsaturated-α-amino acids and β,γ-unsaturated-α-amino acids gave correct elemental composition data (exact mass or combustion analysis). ... 20% increase in the yield of the rearrangement step. ... The mechanistic implications of this observation ...