Catalytic Benzoylation of Alanine in Two-Phase Water–Dichloromethane System

Abstract

The inverse phase transfer process of catalytic benzoylation of α-amino acids (on the example of alanine) in a two-phase water–dichloromethane system in the presence of pyridine derivatives as catalysts is investigated. The effect of the initial concentration of alanine, its form in solution, and the initial catalyst concentration on the reaction rate and the composition of the products is studied. It is established that using 4-methyl- and 4-methoxy pyridine N-oxides combined with a double excess of the sodium salt of alanine makes it possible to obtain 2-benzamidopropionic acid with a yield of more than 80%.