Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid → 4-Aminobutyric acid methyl ester hydrochloride

Participants

Reaction Steps

Anhydrous HCl was slowly bubbled into a heterogeneous mixture of 20.64 g (0.2 mole) of 4-aminobutyric acid in 200 ml of methanol at room temperature. After adding the HCl for about 5 minutes the reaction mixture warmed to a gentle reflux at which time it was submerged into a 0° C. ice bath. HCl addition was continued for an additional 5 minutes after the reaction mixture was cooled. The reaction mixture was then placed under nitrogen and refluxed for 17 hours. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo giving 30.70 g of a white solid, mp 110°14 115° C. The title compound was used in the next step without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence