N-quaternary compounds—IXL : Circular dichroism of α-trimethylammonio aldehydes

(S)-α-Trimethylammonio aldehydes have been synthesised over several steps from corresponding amino acids. The dichroic carbonyl absorption can be rationalised in terms of the Octant Rule with the assumption of a preferred conformation. The chiroptical properties of intermediate α-phthalimido aldehydes have also been investigated.