Book excerpt: Many successful syntheses of homochiral organic compounds use an amino acid derivative as a starting point. Such syntheses are not confined to peptides as targets; peptide synthesis strategies have been narrowed down to a few well-defined protocols (and these are not covered in this book).Outside the peptide field, many non-routine syntheses have been established that give the intended products in which the structural features of the starting amino acid are barely recognisable. This book is a laboratory guide that covers the early stages of syntheses under these headings, whichinvariably call for modifications to the functional groups of readily-available L-amino acids. It will therefore give invaluable guidance to the preparation of amino acid derivatives to be used not only in these broad area of synthesis but also in amino acid analysis. Synthetic work with aminoacids carried out by new users and by experienced chemists and other scientists, will be supported by the detailed practical protocols and background information provided in this book.