Polyhydroxylated sulfinimines derived from protected 1,2-O-isopropyliden-l-threoses undergo thesulfinimine-mediated Strecker syntheses to give α-amino nitriles in good yield and de. A doublestereodifferentiation effect was not observed and the diastereoselectivity is controlled by the absoluteconfiguration of the sulfinyl group. Hydrolysis of the amino nitriles afforded the lactone ratherthan polyoxamic acid.