Hydrochloric Acid → Hydrochloric Acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of methyl L-phenylglycinate (-)-hemitartrate mono-ethanol solvate ([α]D + 62.4°, 36.888 g., 0.102 mole) in 6N-hydrochloric acid (68 ml., 0.408 mole, 4 equiv.) was refluxed for 1 hour 10 minutes and then distilled for 15 minutes. Water (68 ml.) was added and the pH of the warm solution adjusted to 7.0 with ammonium hydroxide solution (0.880, 35 ml.). The mixture was cooled in ice, filtered, and the solid was washed with water (2 × 25 ml.) and ethanol (25 ml.) and dried over phosphorus pentoxide to give L-phenylglycine as white plates (13.406 g., 87%), [α]D21 + 152.1° (c 1.007, 1N-HCl).

Provenance & Evidence