A Simple Method For Preparation Of N-Mono- And N,N-Di-Alkylated Alpha-Amino Acids

Reactions of alpha -amino acids with ketones under hydrogenation conditions using 20% Pd(OH)(2)/C as the catalyst gave N-mono-alkylated amino acids in high yields. Reductive methylation of N-mono alkylated amino acids under the same hydrogenation conditions at 50 degreesC afforded N,N-di-alkylated amino acids in excellent yields. This simple method has been used to synthesize N-mono- and N,N-di-alkylated amino acids on a scale of 200 g. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.