Benzyl Alcohol → L-Glutamic acid, 5-(phenylmethyl) ester

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

1416 grams (g) of L-glutamic acid, 1560 g of 60% sulfuric acid and 1152 g of benzyl alcohol were placed in a 12 liter round bottom flask equipped with a distillation head. The mixture was heated to 70° C. and stirred for 45 minutes. Upon cooling, the resulting solution was stirred and was subjected to a reduced pressure. When the vacuum had stabilized at about 100 millimeters (mm) the reaction temperature was again raised to 70° C. and water was distilled off for about 4.5 hours. Upon standing overnight, the reaction mixture became viscous and was slowly added to a stirred mixture of 1613 g of sodium bicarbonate, 1.2 kilograms (kg) of ice and 12 liters of water. A precipitate formed which was collected by filtration and then washed with about 8 liters of carbon dioxide-free water and 8 liters of acetone and subsequently air-dried. The precipitate was triturated with 2 liters of ether and dried, yielding 1044 g of the desired γ-benzyl L-glutamate, melting point (m.p.) 156°-157° C. Thin layer chromatography detected the presence of unreacted glutamic acid in the crude product. The crude product was recrystallized from 12.5 liters of hot water and filtered through a plug of glass wool suspended in the neck of a heated glass funnel. After cooling, and overnight refrigeration, the recrystallized product was collected, and washed with 2 liters of cold water, then 2 liters of THF. The product was air dried overnight and then dried in vacuo at room temperature for three hours. 693 g of γ-benzyl L-glutamate was recovered as white, shiny plates, m.p. 156.5°-157° C.

Provenance & Evidence