Hydrochloric Acid → Methyl (2S)-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of L-leucic acid (1.33 g, 10 mmol) in methanol (20 mL) was added 12 N HCl (0.2 mL, 2.4 mmol) and the solution was refluxed for 3 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using EtOAc in hexane to afford methyl (2S)-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoate as a colorless oil.

Provenance & Evidence