2-Bromobenzyl Alcohol acts as a reagent for the synthesis of alkoxy tetrasubstituted chiral amino acids via three-component reaction of (diazo)oxindoles, alcohols and benzhydrylimino ester involving enantioselective trapping of oxonium ylides by benzhydrylimino ester. Also acts as a reagent for the preparation of orally active and liver-targeted prodrug of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.