Efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of ionic esterified amino acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules16108733

In this work, an efficient microwave-assisted methodology for the esterification of unprotected α-amino acids is described. Ionic esterified amino acids were synthesized in satisfactory yields in a facile one-pot solventless protocol from unprotected amin

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules16108733

Molecules 2011, 16, 8733-8744; doi:10.3390/molecules16108733
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Efficient Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Ionic Esterified
Amino Acids
Ricardo Cerón-Camacho, Jorge Aburto, Luisa E. Montiel, Eugenio A. Flores,
Frisia Cuellar and Rafael Martínez-Palou *
Dirección de Investigación y Posgrado, Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo,
Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas 152, 07730 Mexico City, Mexico
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: rpalou@imp.mx;
Tel.: +52-55-9175-7846; Fax: +52-55-9175-6380.
Received: 16 September 2011; in revised form: 11 October 2011 / Accepted: 14 October 2011 /
Published: 19 October 2011
Abstract: In this work, an efficient microwave-assisted methodology for the esterification
of unprotected α-amino acids is described. Ionic esterified amino acids were synthesized in
satisfactory yields in a facile one-pot solventless protocol from unprotected amino acids
and alcohols under acid catalysis (MsOH or p-TsOH) to afford the pure products after a
simple work-up procedure. This procedure can also be extended to the preparation of long
and short chain alkyl and benzyl esters.
Keywords: amino acids; esterification; microwave; parallel synthesis
1. Introduction
Microwave technology has become a powerful tool in organic synthesis which is able to grant
access to a wide range of organic compounds in a very simple, swift and efficient way The use of
microwave dielectric heating have been shown to dramatically reduce processing time and often
leading to high purities and better yields to products as compared to conventional methods [1-4].
Parallel synthesis of combinatorial libraries can be described as synthetic sequences using an ordered
array of spatially separated reaction vessels under the same reaction conditions which generally yield a
more or less extensive library of compounds [5]. Parallel synthesis has been reported under both
conventional heating conditions and, more recently, under microwave irradiation for combinatorial
chemistry [6]. In this regard, microwaves can allow a quick and simple optimization of reaction

Molecules 2011, 16
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conditions including time, suppression of byproducts, improved yields which can significantly simplify
the synthesis and/or development of novel organic compounds in an efficient fashion.
The synthesis of carboxylic esters is one of the most fundamental protocols for producing natural
and synthetically useful chemicals in peptide chemistry [7]. Particularly, long alkyloyl amino acids are
important compounds due to their nutritional [8] and surfactant properties [9]. Some of them also show
antisickling activity [10], protective properties against microorganism growth, as well as in the
preservation of perishable food products [11].
Synthetic routes to prepare such compounds are rather limited to date, in spite of the wide
applications of amino acid esters. These methods often rely on the use of the alcohol components in
the liquid phase (as both solvent and reagent) so they are therefore not readily applicable to long chain
solid alcohols [12]. Furthermore, most reported protocols to date lack green credentials and either
require the presence of strong acids such as HCl or H2SO4 [13,14], hazardous reagents including
p-toluenesulfonyl chloride [15], diazomethane [16] or orthoesters [17]. In some other cases, coupling
agents (e.g., carbodiimide) [18] need to be employed or poorly atom efficient protocols with several
reaction steps (protection, esterification and deprotection) as well as the use of expensive N-protected
amino acids starting materials [19-21]. Many of such protocols also have a limited scope [22].
Comparatively, few heterogeneous catalysts including ionic liquids have been described as efficient
systems to prepare short alkyl amino acid esters via esterification of amino acids [23,24] but these
approaches have a limited applicability (e.g., nitrogen atmosphere) and/or suffer from many of the
aforementioned drawbacks.
In this work, we report a one-pot, solventless and highly versatile microwave-assisted methodology
for the esterification and simultaneous salt formation of unprotected α-amino acids using long chain
alcohols and simple organic acid catalysts [methanesulfonic acid (MsOH) and p-toluenesulfonic acid
(p-TsOH)] to obtain ionic amino acids ester with organic anions. The proposed approach could be
efficiently extended to the synthesis of long and short chain alkyl and aryl esters. To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first report of a general procedure for the esterification of unprotected amino
acids under microwave irradiation, despite other investigations related to the esterification of amino
acids under microwave irradiation [19-22].
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Microwave-Assisted Parallel Synthesis of Ionic-Esterified Amino Acids
The esterification reaction of carboxylic acids under microwave irradiation has been widely
study [25-27], however the esterification of amino acids is comparatively more difficult to that of
ordinary carboxylic acids as a consequence of their zwitterionic structure.
After several experiments to establish the optimum conditions (data not shown), a versatile
procedure was obtained for the parallel synthesis of ionic-esterified α-amino acids from unprotected
amino acids, alcohols and acid catalysts (MsOH or p-TsOH) under microwave irradiation. Reactions
were carried out employing glycine (entries 1–8), D-alanine (entries 9–14) and DL-tryptophan (entries
15–21, Table 1).

Molecules 2011, 16
Table 1. Parallel synthesis of ionic-esterified amino acids under microwave irradiation.
8735
Entry
1
R1
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
Me
Me
Me
Me
R2
i-C3H7
C4H9
C8H17
C10H21
C12H25
C14H29
C16H33
C18H37
Bz
X−
Product
3a
Yield (%) a
MsO
MsO
p-TsO
MsO
p-TsO
MsO
MsO
MsO
MsO
p-TsO
p-TsO
MsO
p-TsO
MsO
75
78
63
78
62
79
78
84
76
73
21
74
24
76
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
3b
3c
3d
3e
3f
3g
3h
3i
3j
3k
3l
3m
3n
C2H5
C8H17
C10H21
C12H25
C14H29
Me
Me
3-methylene-1H-
indole (3MIn)
3MIn
15
C8H17
MsO
3o
77
16
17
18
19
20
21
C10H21
C12H25
C14H29
C16H33
C18H37
C18H37
MsO
MsO
MsO
MsO
MsO
p-TsO
3p
3q
3r
3s
3t
74
75
75
78
74
62
3MIn
3MIn
3MIn
3MIn
3MIn
3u
a Isolated yields.
Table 1 proves ionic-esterified amino acids (ionic liquids analogues) could be obtained in one-step
by simultaneous esterification of the carboxylic group and protonation of the amine group (with
subsequent formation of the organic salt end). The ionic product is more stable than the neutral and
consequently inter- and intramolecular reactions could be avoided in our proposed approach. Due to
their ionic character, amino acids interact very efficiently with microwave irradiation providing a fast
and homogeneous increase in temperature.
Simultaneous cooling with compressed air (5 bar) was applied in order to prevent the strong
exotherm in the synthesis, avoiding overheating and abrupt temperature overshoot (presented when
reaction was carried out without air cooling) and allows a higher level of irradiation power at the
established temperature [28,29].
In these reactions the temperature profiles were obtained simultaneously by both external IR and
external FO sensor [30]. Due to the strong microwave absortivity of our ionic products and the delay
experience in monitoring temperature on the outer surface of a heavy-walled vessel and especially in

Molecules 2011, 16
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our experiments with simultaneous cooling, the magnetron output power was controlled by the most
precise internal FO sensor (IR as slave). In all experiments significant differences between FO and IR
measurement (40–50 °C) were observed, as can be seen as example in FO/IR temperature (T) and
power (P) profiles in the synthesis of the compound 3b (Figure 1).
Figure 1. FO/IR temperature (T) and power (P) profiles for the reaction to obtain compound 3b.
140
240
130
120
110
225
OF
210
195
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
180
165
150
135
120
105
90
IR
75
60
45
P
30
15
0
0:03:00 0:06:02 0:09:04 0:12:05 0:15:06 0:18:07 0:21:08
Time (hh:mm:ss)
Particularly related to this work, our efforts have been especially focused in the synthesis of ionic
amphiphilic amino acids with long alkyl chains (C8–C18, Table 1). However, it is worth pointing out
that the proposed versatile approach can also be extended to the preparation of short chain (entries 1, 2
and 10, Table 1) and benzyl (entry 9, Table 1) esterified ionic amino acids.
Good yields to products could be obtained for all investigated amino acids and alcohols, regardless
of their structure and composition, except for products 3k and 3m where ionic product from acid-base
reaction without esterification, was curiously the main product. Products were obtained in acceptable
purities (>95% as seen by NMR) after a simple workup comprising of crystallization via EtOH
addition and subsequent washing with ethyl ether.
MsOH and p-TsOH were found to be suitable catalysts for the reactions under the investigated
reaction conditions but yields were higher for the case of MsOH as compared to those obtained with
p-TsOH. An additional advantage of these reactions is that a high alcohol excess was not required to
obtained high yields to products as compared to most literature reported protocols [19-21,23]. The data
collected shows that no significant racemization (ratio  D:L, 5:1) take place during the synthesis for
products obtained from D-alanine.
2.2. Amphiphilic Properties of Ionic Amino Acids with Long Alkyl Chains
The critical miscellar concetration (CMC) is an important characteristic of a surfactant. Besides the
essential contribution of the hydrophobic interactions, the micellization of ionic surfactants in aqueous

Molecules 2011, 16
8737
solutions is influenced considerably by the electrostatic interactions between the ionized head-groups
and their interactions with the surrounding counterions and water molecules.
The surfactant CMC determination is indeed done in an aqueous system where the surfactant forms
micelles with polar heads oriented toward the aqueous medium. The amphiphilic properties of water
soluble long alkyl chain (C8–C14) synthesized compounds were determined for measuring the CMCs
for compounds 3c–3f obtained from glycine. CMCs were determined by two methods, using the
classical method by interfacial tensiometry and by Steady-state fluorescence measurements [31]. The
results are showed in Table 2.
Table 2. CMCs values of 3c–3f determined by interfacial tensiometry (IT) and by
Steady-state fluorescence (F) measurements.
Compound
CMC (ppm) by IT
CMC (ppm) by F
3c
3d
3e
3f
151.2
75.7
9.8
151.4
60.0
12.1
4.0
2.9
As can be observed in Table 2, good agreement in the values was obtained by both methods. The
carbon chain length of the hydrophobe was found to be a determining factor in the value of CMC, for
the prepared series of amino acid esters surfactants, we found that was a marked decline in CMC
values with increase the number of carbon atoms in chain length. CMC for C8 is higher than C10,
whereas C10 is higher than C12. The CMC values decreases as hydrophobic group size increases.
Similar behavior is typically for other surfactants series, such as alkylpolyglucosydes [32,33] and
N-acetylated cationic surfactants [34]. These results point out that these compounds could be employed
as emulsifiers for oilfield applications.
3. Experimental
3.1. General
All Aldrich reagents were used without previous purification. p-TsOH was dehydrated by heating
(100 °C) y vacuum during 4 h. Melting points were measured in a Fisher Scientific apparatus with a
1
13
300 °C thermometer. H-NMR (300 MHz) and C-NMR (75.4 MHz) spectra were obtained with a
Varian-Gemini-300 equipment using TMS as internal standard and the solvent specified in each case at
room temperature, as shown below. IR spectra were recorded on a Nicolet spectrometer Nexus 470
FT-IR (KBr powder, diffuse reflectance mode). Microwave reaction were performed using a
commercially available mono-mode microwave, Monowave 300 manufactured by Anton Paar [35],
employing a 10 mL Pyrex vial in a closed vessel mode. Reactions were carried out with simultaneous
cooling with compressed air (5 bar) and stirring at a fixed rate of 800 rpm. The reaction temperatures
were monitored by both, an external infrared sensor (IR) and by an internal fiber-optic (FO)
temperature probe (ruby thermometer) protected by a borosilicate immersion well inserted directly in
the reaction mixtures. The magnetron output power was controlled by the FO probe (IR as slave) and
heating rates was controlled by selecting the “as-fast-as-possible” mode. Pressure sensing is achieved

Molecules 2011, 16
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by a hydraulic sensor integrated in the swiveling cover of the instrument. Critical Micellar
Concentrations (CMC) were determined by tensiometry and by fluorometry methods. Different
concentrations of each sample were prepared and the surface tension at 25 °C was measured using a
platinum ring on a tensiometer DuNoüy. Several concentrations were prepared by diluting the
stock solution with distilled water (interfacial tension = 72 dyne/cm) to the appropriate concentration
to be used in the determination of the critical micelle concentration (CMC). The surfactants
CMC determinations by fluorometric spectroscopy were performed on a RF-5301PC Shimadzu
spectrofluorometer equipped with a 150 W Xe lamp and a cell temperature controller using pyrene as a
fluorophore probe. The emission spectra of pyrene and assays with surfactants were recorded between
350 and 600 nm using a λexc of 334 nm at 25 °C. The calculations for CMC were determined from the
emission spectra of each surfactant as described before [31].
3.2. General Procedure for Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Ionic-Esterified Amino Acids Salts
In a reaction vessel provided with reflux condenser, alcohols (5 mmol) were heated for 30 s at 70 °C
with magnetic stirring under microwave irradiation at 70 W, to better homogenize compounds at the
bottom of the microwave tube in the case of solid alcohols. The corresponding amino acids (2.5 mmol)
and the catalyst (MsOH or p-TsOH, 6 mmol) were then added and the mixture was irradiated for
20 min under simultaneous cooling with air (20 psi). Upon reaction completion, the final obtained
product was diluted with hot ethanol (10 mL) and ether (20 mL). The mixture was allowed to stand
overnight at 5 °C. A mixture of the corresponding amino acid (2.5 mmol), alcohol (5.0 mmol) and the
catalyst (MsOH or p-TsOH, 6 mmol) were placed in a 10 mL Pyrex reaction vessel equipped with a
magnetical stir bar and fitted with an immersion well for the ruby thermometer. The reaction mixture
was first irradiated 30 s at 70 °C and then for 20 min under simultaneous cooling with compressed air
(5 bar). Upon reaction completion, the final obtained product was diluted with hot ethanol (10 mL) and
ether (20 mL). The mixture was allowed to stand 1 h at 5 °C. The precipitate product was vacuum-
1
filtered, washed with ethyl ether and dried under vacuum. Products were characterized by IR, H and
13C-NMR.
1
2-Oxo-2-(propan-2-yloxy)ethanaminium methanesulfonate (3a). White solid; Mp. 99–104 °C; H-NMR
(, DMSO-d6): 8.36 (ws), 7.46 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.1 Hz,
1H), 7.05 (td, J = 6.8, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (td, J = 6.8, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (s, 1H), 4.01 (m, 2H), 3.27 (m,
2H), 2.46 (s, 3H), 1.45 (qi, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 1.20 (m, 10H), 0.85 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H); 13C-NMR: 167.5,
135.4, 134.4 124.9, 122.9, 119.2, 116.7, 115.9, 109.7, 104.4, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 63.8, 50.9, 29.42, 26.8,
26.7 25.9, 24.4, 23.3, 20.3, 12.0; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3315, 3055, 2983, 2935, 1740, 1597, 1516, 1493,
1439, 1464, 1383, 1356, 1338, 1290, 1205, 1176, 1119, 1072, 1045, 957, 899, 779, 742, 557.
1
2-(Butyloxy)-2-oxoethanaminium methanesulfonate (3b). White solid; Mp. 117–119 °C; H-NMR (,
DMSO-d6): 8.36 (ws), 7.46 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.1 Hz,
1H), 7.05 (td, J = 6.8, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (td, J = 6.8, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (s, 1H), 4.01 (m, 2H), 3.27 (m,
2H), 2.46 (s, 3H), 1.45 (qi, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 1.20 (m, 10H), 0.85 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H); 13C-NMR: 167.5,
1354.5, 134.4 124.9, 122.9, 119.2, 116.7, 115.9, 109.7, 104.4, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 63.8, 50.9, 29.42, 26.8,

Molecules 2011, 16
8739
26.7 25.9, 24.4, 23.3, 20.3, 12.0; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3421, 3024, 2966, 2881, 1747, 1610, 1506, 1435,
1319, 1207, 1169, 1045, 906, 864, 781, 557.
1
2-(Octyloxy)-2-oxoethanaminium p-toluenesulfonate (3c). White solid; Mp. 200–201 °C; H-NMR (,
CD3OD): 8.24 (ws), 7.73 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H), 7.22 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 2H), 3.79 (s, 2H), 3.56 (t, J = 7.0 Hz,
13
2H), 2.37 (s, 3H), 1.54 (m, 2H), 1.29 (m, 10H), 0.89 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 167.7, 140.8,
140.0, 128.2, 125.0, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 39.2, 20.2; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3460, 3061, 2954, 2848, 1755,
1595, 1503, 1443, 1242, 1161, 1038, 1012, 928, 860.
1
2-(Decyloxy)-2-oxoethanaminium methanesulfonate (3d). White solid; Mp. 67–68 °C; H-NMR (,
CD3OD): 8.34 (ws), 4.24 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 3.83 (s, 2H), 2.72 (s, 3H), 1.69 (qi, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 1.29
(m, 14H), 0.89 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H); 13C-NMR: 168.3, 67.2, 40.9, 39.4, 32.8, 30.5, 30.4, 30.2, 30.1, 26.7,
23.6, 14.5; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3454, 3016, 2956, 2924, 1749, 1593, 1500, 1468, 1421, 1379, 1207,
1192, 1051, 904, 785.
1
2-(Dodecyloxy)-2-oxoethanaminium p-toluenesulfonate (3e). White solid; Mp. 195–196 °C; H-NMR
(, CD3OD): 8.27 (ws), 7.73 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H), 7.22 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 4.19 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 3.78
13
(s, 2H), 2.37 (s, 3H), 1.66 (qi, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 1.28 (m, 18H), 0.89 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H); C-NMR:
167.6, 140.9, 139.8, 128.0, 124.9, 77.4, 76.9, 76.6, 39.0, 28.8, 28.7, 28.5, 19.9; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1):
3467, 3223, 3059, 2954, 2920, 1751, 1595, 1506, 1443, 1242, 1161, 1124, 1038, 1012, 926, 860.
1
2-(Tetradecyloxy)-2-oxoethanaminium methanesulfonate (3f). White solid; Mp. 78–79 °C. H-NMR
(, CD3OD): 8.32 (ws), 4.23 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 3.83 (s, 2H), 2.71 (s, 3H), 1.69 (qi, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H),
13
1.28 (m, 22H), 0.89 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 168.5, 67.3, 40.9, 40.7, 39.46, 32.9, 30.7, 30.68,
30.63, 30.5, 30.4, 30.3, 29.49; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3466, 3008, 2960, 2918, 2850, 1745, 1541, 1466,
1433, 1387, 1240, 1192, 1109, 1059, 891, 783, 723.
1
2-(Hexadecyloxy)-2-oxoethanaminium methanesulfonate (3g). White solid; Mp. 85–86 °C; H-NMR
(, CD3OD): 8.32 (ws), 4.24 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 3.81 (s, 2H), 2.74 (s, 3H), 1.69 (qi, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H),
1.28 (m, 26H), 0.89 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H); 13C-NMR: 166.4, 77.4, 76.6, 65.5, 39.0, 38.9, 37.7, 31.6, 31.0,
28.8, 28.7, 28.6, 28.6, 28.5, 28.3, 27.5, 24.92, 24.8, 21.7, 12.7; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3390, 3024, 2924,
2914, 2850, 1747, 1514, 1473, 1439, 1387, 1242, 1174, 1051, 918, 864, 715.
2-(Octadecyloxy)-2-oxoethanaminium methanesulfonate (3h). White solid; Mp. 72 °C (dec.); 1H-NMR
(, CD3OD): 8.36 (ws), 4.24 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 3.81 (s, 1H), 3.75 (s, 1H), 2.74 (s, 3H), 1.70 (qi,
J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.28 (m, 30H), 0.89 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H); 13C-NMR: 166.8, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 65.4, 61.1,
38.9, 38.8, 37.6, 31.6, 31.0, 28.8, 28.7, 28.6, 28.5, 28.4, 28.3, 27.5, 24.9, 24.8, 21.7, 12.68; IR,
RD-KBr (cm−1): 3388, 3088, 2918, 2850, 1747, 1514, 1473, 1383, 1240, 1176, 1051, 912, 781, 715.
1
(S)-1-(Benzyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium methanesulfonate (3i). Brown oil; H-NMR (, CD3OD):
7.38 (s, 5H), 5.26 (s, 2H), 4.08 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (s, 3H), 1.58 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H); 13C-NMR: δ
169.2, 134.2, 128.3, 128.2, 127.9, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 67.6, 38.3, 15.2, 15.1; IR, RD (cm−1): 3431, 3032,
2954, 2843, 22748, 1747, 1525, 1498, 1456, 1329, 1213, 1151, 1113, 1038, 958, 910, 777.

Molecules 2011, 16
8740
(S)-1-(Ethyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium p-toluenesulfonate (3j). White solid; Mp. 218–220 °C;
1H-NMR (, CD3OD): 8.33 (ws), 7.78 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.29 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 4.25 (q, J = 7.0 Hz,
2H), 3.61 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 1H), 2.36 (s, 3H), 1.74 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H), 1.18 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H); 13C-NMR:
170.3, 140.9, 139.8, 128.0, 124.9, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 76.5, 19.8, 14.6; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3469, 3066,
2951, 2851, 1749, 1518, 1460, 1203, 1126, 1113, 1043, 1014, 814, 688, 567.
(S)-1-(Octyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium p-toluenesulfonate (3k). White solid; Mp. 203–205 °C;
1H-NMR (, CD3OD): 8.32 (ws), 7.73 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.22 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 3.95 (qi, J = 7.3 Hz,
1H), 3.33 (m, 2H), 2.37(s, 3H), 1.54 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H), 1.46 (m, 2H), 1.31 (m, 10H), 0.89 (t, J = 6.7 Hz,
3H); 13C-NMR: 170.4, 141.0, 139.8, 130.2, 128.0, 124.9, 77.4, 76.9, 76.6, 48.1, 47.8, 47.5, 47.2, 46.9,
19.9, 19.96, 14.6; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3477, 3066, 2900, 2825, 1749, 1601, 1520, 1462, 1244, 1203,
1163, 1126, 1043, 1012, 860, 814, 688, 656.
1
(S)-1-(Decyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium methanesulfonate (3l). White solid; Mp. 94–95 °C; H-NMR
(, CD3OD): 8.43 (ws), 4.24 (qd, J = 4.5, 2.2 Hz, 2H), 4.05 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (s, 3H), 1.69 (qi,
13
J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.57 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H), 1.29 (m, 14H), 0.89 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 169.1,
77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 65.7, 37.8, 31.0, 28.7, 28.6, 28.5, 28.4, 27.6, 24.9, 21.8, 14.7, 14.6, 12.8; IR, RD-KBr
(cm−1): 3491, 3059, 2958, 2918, 2852, 1751, 1523, 1470, 1336, 1244, 1205, 1157, 1119, 1043, 1005,
775, 750, 555.
(S)-1-(Dodecyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium p-toluenesulfonate (3m). White solid; Mp. 224–225 °C.
1H-NMR (, CD3OD): 8.31 (ws), 7.73 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H) 7.22 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.95 (qi, J = 7.3 Hz,
1H), 3.33 (m, 2H), 2.37 (s, 3H), 1.54 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H), 1.46 (m, 2H), 1.31 (m, 18H), 0.89 (t,
13
J = 6.7 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 170.4, 140.9, 139.8, 128.1, 124.9, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 20.1, 20.0, 14.7; IR,
RD-KBr (cm−1): 3471, 3068, 2949, 2906, 2829, 1749, 1520, 1205, 1126, 1113, 1043, 1014, 816, 688, 567.
(S)-1-(Tetradecyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium methanesulfonate (3n). White solid; Mp. 86–87 °C;
1H-NMR (, CD3OD): 4.24 (qd, J = 4.0, 2.2 Hz, 2H), 4.04 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 2.75 (s, 3H), 1.70 (qi,
13
J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.57 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H), 1.27 (m, 22H), 0.89 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 169.2,
77.4, 76.9, 76.6, 65.9, 38.0, 31.8, 31.2, 28.9, 28.95, 28.9, 28.8, 28.8, 28.6, 28.5, 27.7, 25.0, 21.9, 14.9,
14.8, 13.0; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3491, 3145, 2958, 2918, 2850, 1751, 1531, 1470, 1207, 1157, 1120,
1043, 775, 721, 555.
3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-1-(octyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium methanesulfonate (3o). White solid; Mp.
119–121 °C; 1H-NMR (, DMSO-d6): 10.99 (s, NH), 8.36 (ws, 3H), 7.46 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (d,
J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (dd, J = 6.8 Hz, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (td, J = 6.8, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (td, J = 6.8,
1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (s, 1H), 4.01 (m, 2H), 3.27 (m,2H), 2.46 (s, 3H), 1.45 (qi, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 1.20 (m,
10H), 0.85 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H); 13C-NMR: 167.5, 135.4, 134.4 124.9, 122.9, 119.2, 116.7, 115.9, 109.7,
104.4, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 63.8, 50.9, 29.42, 26.8, 26.7 25.9, 24.4, 23.3, 20.3, 12.0; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1):
3331, 3062, 2953, 2870, 2854, 1998, 1747, 1522, 1458, 1437, 1362, 1288, 1209, 1039, 947, 781, 737, 557.
3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-1-(decyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium methanesulfonate (3p). White solid; Mp.
124–125 °C; 1H-NMR (, DMSO-d6): 11.04 (ws), 8.40 (ws), 7.49 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (d, J = 8.0 Hz,

Molecules 2011, 16
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1H), 7.23 (dd, J = 6.5, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (td, J = 7.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (td, J = 7.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.21
(s, 1H), 4.03 (m, J = 4.7 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (dd, J = 6.4, 4.0 Hz, 2H), 2.47 (s, 3H), 1.46 (qi, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H),
13
1.24 (m, 14H), 0.87 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 172.2, 139.1, 129.6, 127.6, 123.9, 121.3, 120.6,
114.4, 109.0, 82.1, 81.7, 81.3, 68.4, 55.6, 34.1, 31.9, 31.8, 31.6, 31.5, 30.6, 29.1, 27.9, 24.9, 16.8; IR,
RD-KBr (cm−1): 3331, 3068, 2953, 2920, 2848, 2000, 1749, 1524, 1458, 1437, 1362, 1290, 1211,
1173, 1120, 1078, 1038, 947, 837, 779, 746, 557.
3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-1-(dodecyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium methanesulfonate (3q). White solid; Mp.
122–123 °C; 1H-NMR (, DMSO-d6): 11.02 (ws), 8.38 (ws), 7.48 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (d, J = 8.0 Hz,
1H), 7.23 (dd, J = 6.6, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (td, J = 6.9, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (td, J = 7.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.21
(s, 1H), 4.04 (m, J = 4.1 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (dd, J = 5.8, 1.8 Hz, 2H), 2.47 (s, 3H), 1.48 (qi, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H),
13
1.25 (m, 18H), 0.87 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 167.5, 134.4, 124.9, 122.9, 119.2, 116.7, 115.9,
109.7, 104.3, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 63.8, 50.9, 29.5, 27.3, 27.2, 27.2, 27.1, 26.9, 26.9, 25.9, 24.4, 23.3, 20.3,
12.1; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3331 (NH), 3068, 3028, 2953, 2920, 2848 (CH), 2000, 1749 (C=O), 1595,
1524, 1458, 1437, 1362, 1290, 1213 (SO3), 1173, 1120, 1078, 1038, 947, 837, 779, 746, 557.
3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-1-(tetradecyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium methanesulfonate (3r). White solid; Mp.
118–119 °C; 1H-NMR (, DMSO-d6): 11.05 (ws), 8.38 (ws), 7.48 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (d, J = 8.0 Hz,
1H), 7.23 (dd, J = 5.9, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (td, J = 7.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (td, J = 7.0, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.22
(s, 1H), 4.02 (m, J = 4.4 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (d, J = 5.5 Hz, 2H), 2.45 (s, 3H), 1.45(q, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 1.24
13
(m, 18H), 0.86 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 167.5, 134.3, 124.9, 122.9, 119.2, 116.6, 115.9, 109.6,
104.3, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 63.7, 50.8, 29.4, 27.2, 27.1, 27.1, 27.0, 26.7, 26.6, 25.8, 24.3, 23.2, 20.2, 12.0;
IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3331, 3070, 3028, 2953, 2920, 2848, 1998, 1751, 1593, 1524, 1458, 1437, 1362,
1290, 1213, 1173, 1122, 1078, 1038, 947, 837, 779, 744, 555.
3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-1-(hexadecyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium methanesulfonate (3s). White solid; Mp.
120–121 °C; 1H-NMR (, DMSO-d6): 11.05(ws), 8.38 (ws), 7.48 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (d, J = 8.0 Hz,
1H), 7.23 (dd, J = 5.7, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (td, J = 7.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (td, J = 7.0, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 4.22
(s, 1H), 4.02 (m, J = 6.5 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (dd, J = 3.3 Hz, J = 5.8 Hz, 2H), 2.44 (s, 3H), 1.46 (qi, J = 6.5 Hz,
13
2H), 1.24 (m, 26H), 0.86 (t, J = 6.5 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 167.5, 134.3, 124.9, 122.9, 119.2, 116.6,
115.9, 109.6, 104.3, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 63.7, 50.8, 38.4, 38.1, 37.8, 37.6, 37.5, 37.3, 36.9, 29.4, 28.7,
27.2, 27.1, 27.0, 26.9, 26.8, 25.9, 24.4, 23.2, 20.2, 12.0; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3331, 3068, 3028, 2953,
2920, 2848, 1751, 1595, 1524, 1464, 1437, 1362, 1290, 1213, 1173, 1120, 1038, 949, 837, 779, 744, 555.
3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-1-(octadecyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium methanesulfonate (3t). White solid; Mp.
1
114–116 °C (dec); H-NMR (, DMSO-d6): 10.99 (ws), 8.36 (ws), 7.46 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (d,
J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (dd, J = 6.8 Hz, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (td, J = 6.8, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (td, J = 6.8,
1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (s, 1H), 4.01 (m, 2H), 3.27 (m, 2H), 2.46 (s, 3H), 1.45 (qi, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 1.20 (m,
13
10H), 0.85 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 167.5, 1354.5, 134.4 124.9, 122.9, 119.2, 116.7, 115.9,
109.7, 104.4, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 63.8, 50.9, 29.42, 26.8, 26.7 25.9, 24.4, 23.3, 20.3, 12.0; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1):
3331, 3068, 2920, 2848, 1751, 1597, 1524, 1464, 1377, 1290, 1213, 1173, 1120, 1038, 947, 837, 779,
744, 555.

Molecules 2011, 16
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3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-1-(octadecyloxy)-1-oxopropan-2-aminium p-toluenesulfonate (3u). White solid; 92 °C
1
(dec.); H-NMR (, DMSO-d6): 10.91 (ws), 8.36 (ws), 7.64 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.47 (d, J = 7.8 Hz,
1H), 7.38 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (dd, J = 9.2, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.08 (t, J = 7.2 Hz,
1H), 7.02(t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 4.15 (3, 1H), 4.07 (m, 2H), 3.32 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 2H), 2.33 (s, 3H), 1.53
13
(qi, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 1.25 (m, 30H), 0.87 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H); C-NMR: 167.7, 142.7, 136.8, 134.8,
126.6, 125.2, 124.0, 123.3, 119.7, 119.6, 117.1, 116.1, 110.0, 109.9, 104.5, 77.4, 76.9, 76.5, 64.3, 51.3,
51.2, 29.9, 27.7, 27.6, 27.5, 27.4, 27.3, 26.4, 23.8, 20.7, 19.4, 12.4; IR, RD-KBr (cm−1): 3431, 3269,
3240 (NH), 2951, 2916, 2848, 1741, 1578, 1504, 1471, 1437, 1346, 1290, 1165, 1126, 1036, 1012,
814, 731, 575, 561.
4. Conclusions
The simultaneous esterification and acid-base reaction of unprotected α-amino acids to obtain ionic
amino acid esters was demonstrated to be efficiently promoted in a one-pot, solventless approach using
a wide range of alcohols and amino acids using MsOH or p-TsOH as acid catalysts under microwave
irradiation. The proposed versatile protocol may be in principle easily extended to a range of other
compounds, paving the way to the facile preparation of related relevant organic compounds of
industrial important as surfactants and emulsifiers. Further investigations of these reactions are
currently being ongoing in our laboratories.
Acknowledgments
RC-C and LEM thank to CONACyT and IMP for the awarded postdoctoral fellowship,
respectively. We acknowledge Irina Likhanova for the use of the Monowave microwave reactor from
her laboratory. We appreciate the financial support of project D.01225 (IMP).
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© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).