Abstract: A process is provided for preparing chirally pure S-enantiomers of &agr;-amino acids comprising the steps of: a) preparing an organometallic reagent from an alkyl halide of the formula (R)2CH(CH2)nCH2X; b) adding the organometallic reagent to carbon dioxide to afford a carboxylic acid; c) activating the carboxylic acid with an acid chloride, phosphorus trichloride, acid anhydride, or thionyl chloride in the presence of a tertiary amine base; d) reacting the product of step c) with an alkali metal salt of S-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone; e) treating the product of step d) with a strong non-nucleophilic base to form an enolate anion; f) trapping the enolate anion with 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl azide to afford an oxazolidinone azide; g) hydrolyzing the oxazolidinone azide with an aqueous base to afford an &agr;-azido acid; h) reducing the &agr;-azido acid to the &agr;-amino acid; and i) recrystallizing the &agr;-amino acid to the chirally pure &agr;-amino acid.