A new route to the asymmetric synthesis of α-amino acids based on the reactivity of chiral 2-acetamidoacrylates with nucleophiles through a conjugate addition followed by diastereoselective protonation of the enolate is described. Phenylalanine precursors are obtained in excellent chemical yields (80–95%) with moderate diastereomeric excess (0–44%) through the reaction of chiral 2-acetamidoacrylates with phenylmagnesium bromide in the presence of CuI followed by diastereoselective enolate protonation.