2-Oxopropanoyl chloride → Pyruvyl-glycine benzyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

Since it was initially determined that pyruvamide is not a preferred pyruvate analog, other pyruvate precursors were investigated. It was then found that other hydrolyzable, non-salt, pyruvate precursors could be synthesized. For example, an improved synthesis of pyruvyl-glycine via a benzyl ester protection method, was discovered. The traditional method of synthesis of pyruvyl-glycine involves reacting phosphorous oxychloride or p-toluene sulfonyl chloride with pyravic acid to yield pyruvyl chloride. The pyruvyl chloride formed using the traditional synthesis is then reacted with glycine benzyl ester hydrochloride to form pyruvyl-glycine benzyl ester, or with glycine in pyridine to yield pyruvyl-glycine. The yield of pyruvyl-glycine benzyl ester was about 35%, and the yield of pyruvyl-glycine was about 12%.

Provenance & Evidence