Esterification of unprotected a-Amino acids in ionic liquids as the reaction media

Article abstract of DOI:10.2174/157017810790533940

Ionic liquid 1,3-dimethylimidazolium methanesulfonate was used to prepare a-amino acids benzylic esters from unprotected amino acids and benzyl chloride. Esterification of several amino acids was achieved with satisfactory yields: by-products can be removed by a simple work-up procedure to afford the pure product. The described method is simple, mild, rapid and save.