Preparation of N-acyl derivatives of amino acids from acyl chlorides and amino acids in the presence of cationic surfactants. A variation of the Schotten-Baumann method of benzoylation of amino acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1081/SCC-100000582

A very efficient method for the preparation of N-acylamino acids from the corresponding acyl chloride and amino acid is described. Amino acids, potassium carbonate, acyl chloride, and a catalytic amount of cationic surfactants were mixed in tetrahydrofuran and refluxed without ever obtaining a clear reaction mixture. After hot filtration, the product was isolated from the hot tetrahydrofuran solution in very high or almost quantitative yields.