Nagase’s Maruoka Catalyst™ is an assymetric phase transfer catalyst that can be used produce α-monosubstituted amino acids and α, α-disubstituted amino acids from glycine and its derivatives.  The catalyst exhibits high selectivity and reactivity, as well as is environmentally friendly, containing no metals.  Nagase commercialized this catalyst in cooperation with Professor Keiji Maruoka of the University of Kyoto.