Beta-Alanine → 3-Phthalimidopropionic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred mixture of β-alanine (4.45 g, 50.0 mmoL) and sodium carbonate (5.35 g, 50.5 mmoL) in 100 mL of water is added N-carbethoxyphthalimide (10.95 g, 50.0 mmoL). After 1.5 hour, the reaction slurry is filtered. The filtrate is stirred and the pH adjusted to 1-2 with 4N hydrochloric acid. After 15 minutes, the resulting slurry is filtered and the solid washed with water. The solid is dried in vacuo (60° C., <1 mm) to afford 6.96 g (64%) of N-phthaloyl-β-alanine, which can be alternatively named as 3-phthalimidopropionic acid, as a white powder.

Provenance & Evidence