The resolution of five racemic alpha-lactams (1a-d,g) using HPLC is reported. Five different Pirkle-type stationary phases were tested. The enantiomers of alpha-lactams containing the trityl group (1a-d) were separated (selectivity factors ranging from 1.08 to 1.20) using a mobile phase of hexane/2-propanol:98/2 and a stationary phase consisting of the 3,5-dinitroaniline derivative of (S)-valine with a urea linkage. Among the dialkyl-substituted alpha-lactams (1e-g), only 1,3-di-tert-butylaziridinone (1g) could be resolved, but only partially (selectivity factor = 1.07), with a mobile phase of hexane/1,2-dichloroethane:95/5 and the stationary phase consisting of the 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid derivative of (R)-1-naphthylglycine.