Ammonium formate → Methyl 2-amino-2-(4-fluorophenyl)acetate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

4-Fluoro-α-[(phenylmethyl)amino]benzeneacetic acid methyl ester hydrochloride (12.2 kg, 39.4 moles) was added to a slurry of 10% palladium-on-carbon (1.2 kg) in isopropanol (50 L). Ammonium formate (5.0 kg, 79.4 moles) was added and the batch was heated to 50° C. Progress of the reaction was monitored by HPLC. The batch was filtered through Hyflo Supercel and the filter cake was washed with isopropanol (25 L). The filtrate was evaporated to low volume and flushed with isopropyl acetate (50 L). The residue was dissolved in isopropyl acetate (30 L) and washed with 5% aqueous potassium phosphate (40 L), followed by saturated aqueous sodium chloride (10 L). The solution was evaporated under vacuum to give 5.79 kg (87% yield) of racemic α-amino-4-fluorobenzeneacetic acid methyl ester.

Provenance & Evidence