beta-Substituted alpha,beta-dehydroamino acids are synthesised in high yiel
ds by a Michael addition of heterocyclic nucleophiles to the methyl esters
of N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl,N-(4-toluenesulfonyl)dehydroamino acids, followe
d by a base-induced elimination of the 4-toluenesulfonyl group with regener
ation of the alpha,beta-double bond. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig
hts reserved.