Simple and efficient synthesis of racemic 2-(tert-butoxycarbon-ylamino)-2-methyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propanoic acid, a new derivative of ß-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)alanine.

A simple synthetic approach to racemic N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-2-methyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)alanine (5) in four steps and 68% overall yield starting from oxazoline derivative 1 is reported. This synthesis involves the alkylation of 1H-1,2,4-triazole with an O-tosyloxazoline derivative, followed by an oxazoline ring-opening reaction and oxidation of the N-protected ß­aminoalcohol by potassium permanganate.