Alkyl 2-substituted 3-(dimethylamino)propenoates and related compounds, masked a-formyl-a-amino-and a-formyl-a-hydroxy acid derivatives, available in one step from 2-substituted acetic acid derivatives by treatment with amide acetals, represent a useful synthetic tool for a simple preparation of various heterocyclic systems and aryl-and heteroaryl substituted amino acid derivatives. On the other hand, 3-(dimethylamino)propenoates can also serve as reagents for the protection of amino group, e. g. in peptide synthesis. Protection of Amino Group 4.10 Transformations of Chiral 3-(Dimethylamino)propenoate Analogs 5Conclusion