An efficient, safe, and scalable method for the preparation of d- and l-penicillamines

-methoxybenzyl ether groups afforded the racemic penicillamine D,L-1. Finally, chiral resolution of the racemic penicillamine furnished enantiomerically pure D- and L-penicillamines in good yields. The salient features of the developed protocol are as follows: it is odorless, shows high efficiency, requires inexpensive starting materials and affords excellent yields, without the need for chromatographic purification processes. The current synthesis also avoids hazardous reaction conditions and the use of heavy metals and toxic cyanide.