In order to solve the important problem of the racemization of poly(L-lactic acid), a high yield of racemization-free monomer: a-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) was synthesized from biobased lactic acid by methylation using specific bases with bulky side groups. Obtained HIBA can be converted into poly(tetramethylglycolide), which is racemization-free and has higher melting and glass transition points than poly(L-lactic acid).