D-Leucine → (R)-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2.62 g of D-leucine in 30 ml of 1N sulfuric acid at 0° C. was added a solution of sodium nitrite (2.07 g) in water (15 ml). The resulting solution was stirred at 0° C. for 3 hours, and then at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl ether (10 ml×3), and the combined organic layers were washed with brine, and then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure to yield the title compound as a light-yellow solid (2.08 g).

Provenance & Evidence