Both diastereomers of beta-aminoester can be obtained diastereoselectively in the reaction of optically active N-sulfinimine possessing 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolanyl group with ester enolate simply by changing the enolate metal species, additives, and solvents. The beta-aminoester can be converted into the corresponding 3-unsubstituted beta-lactam. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd