Acetic Anhydride → Glycine, N-formyl-, ethyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

A hot solution of sodium formate (150 g) in formic acid (200 mL) was added to a hot solution of glycine ethyl ester hydrochloride (228.7 g; 1.64 mol) in hot formic acid (250 mL). This was allowed to stir at room temperature for 1 hour. Small portions of acetic anhydride (450 g) were added to the well-stirred suspension as an exothermic reaction ensued. The suspension was stirred overnight, the solid was filtered and the filtrate was distilled in vacuo to remove excess reagents. The residue was filtered and then distilled to give N-formylglycine ethyl ester (182 g; 85%) having a boiling point of 105°-110° C. under vacuum.

Provenance & Evidence