Benzaldehyde → methyl (2R)-2-(benzylamino)propanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of D-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride (3.0 g, 21.5 mmol) in methanol (10 mL) is added benzaldehyde (2.3 mL, 22.6 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvent is then evaporated. To the resultant residue is added acetic acid (15 mL) and methanol (1 mL) followed by portionwise addition of sodium cyanoborohydride (1.35 g, 21.5 mmol) at room temperature. The mixture is stirred overnight, and then the solvent is evaporated. The remaining residue is diluted with water (75 mL) and basified with Na2CO3. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate (3x75 mL). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine (50 mL), dried (Na2SO4), and the solvent is evaporated to give N-benzyl-D-alanine methyl ester.

Provenance & Evidence