Bromoacetonitrile → (R)-2-Amino-3-((cyanomethyl)thio)propanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A 360 mL aqueous solution of commercially available (Aldrich) L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate (60.0 g, 341.7 mmole) and sodium hydroxide (27.33 g, 683.4 mmole), at room temperature, is treated with a solution of bromoacetonitrile (44.5 g, 370.6 mmole) in 130 mL of dioxane over 30 minutes. The reaction is stirred for 18 hours, during which time a thick precipitate will form. The solid is filtered off, washed with diethyl ether (100 mL) and dried under high vacuum at 40° C. to give the title compound.

Provenance & Evidence