Abstract
Optically active .alpha.-amino nitriles and .alpha.-amino phosphinic derivs. have been prepd. in high yield and high ee via stereoselective Strecker condensation of a chiral ketone with HCN and NH3 followed by condensation with RCHO, an HCN donor or a phosphinate and regioselective decompn. of the intermediate to release the target compd. The third step enables the easy regeneration of the initial chiral ketonic auxiliary.