2.2. 1,3-imidazolidine-4-ones having the General Formula: ##STR1## are obtained in a pure form especially by means of precipitation, in which production an optically active acid can be used at 0.5-0.8 eq. for the separation of racemates. The non-desired enantiomer can be racemized in an inert solvent and the cyclization to imidazolidinone can take place by means of the optically active acid, whereupon the separation of racemates takes place directly thereafter. 1,3-imidazolidine-4-ones are valuable educts for the preparation of branched or unbranched, proteinogenic or non-proteinogenic .alpha.-amino acids by means of diastereoselective alkylation and subsequent ring splitting.