L-Phenylalanine → (+-)-3-Phenyllactic acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 0.829 g of sodium nitrite in 4.2 ml of water is added dropwise at 0° C. to a suspension of 1.6 g of phenylalanine in 5.3 ml of sulphuric acid (2.5N). The reaction mixture is stirred for 2 hours at 0° C. and then for 17 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture is extracted with twice 100 ml of ethyl acetate. The pooled organic phases are washed with 100 ml of a saturated sodium chloride solution in water. 1.2 g of yellow crystals are obtained after drying.

Provenance & Evidence