The retroracemisation procedure developed by Belokon and coworkers has been re-examined using a variety of new (S)-2-[(N-alkylprolyl)amino]benzophenones chiral auxiliaries. It has been found that (S)-2-[(N-benzylprolyl)amino] and (S)-2-[(N-1-(naphthalenyl-1-methyl)prolyl)amino] benzophenones ((S)-BPB and (S)-NPB) when used in conjunction with Ni(NO 3 ) 2 6H 2 O and a racemic α-amino acid preferentially form a single diastereoisomer in the presence of a mild base such as sodium methoxide. Decomposition of this complex under acidic conditions leads to the isolation of the (S)-amino acid in good yield, and in 55 to 99% e.e. The retroracemisation abilities of a polymer supported form of the (S)-BPB ligand have also been investigated and preliminary results for this are presented here.