Amino-acid 4-methoxybenzyl esters

Abstract

L-Amino-acid 4-methoxybenzyl ester hydrochlorides were synthesised by the interaction of 4-methoxybenzyl halides with amine or silver salts of the corresponding N-(2-nitrophenylthio)-L-amino-acids followed by removal of the N-protecting group. Direct esterification of the toluene-4-sulphonate of L-phenylalanine with 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol proceeded in rather low yield. Esters were cleaved with formic acid.