proposed ethyl phenylalinate in vitro

catfish · Thu Aug 04, 2005 2:42 am

Experimental:
to a 10-cm test tube was added 100mg of PA, followed by 3 drops of 95% etOH and one drop of conc. H2SO4. This was heated for 3 minutes on a boiling water bath.
I do not think this would work, as an amino acid is a zwitterion and the sulfuric acid would protonate the amino portion.
Available reagents for acetylation (protection) of the amino group are limited to acetic anhydride.
Is this even worth it, or are there better uses for the anhydride, e.g. phenylacetic acid>P2P?
Thx for reading.

catfish · Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:13 am

Update:
after sitting in a watch glass for 2 days, brownish-yellow crystals are evident.
Something has happened, but tests need to be done.