PREPARATION OF N-ACYL DERIVATIVES OF AMINO ACIDS FROM ACYL CHLORIDES AND AMINO ACIDS IN THE PRESENCE OF CATIONIC SURFACTANTS. A VARIATION OF THE SCHOTTEN-BAUMANN METHOD OF BENZOYLATION OF AMINO ACIDS

A very efficient method for the preparation of N-acylamino acids from the corresponding acyl chloride and amino acid is described. Amino acids, potassium carbonate, acyl chloride, and a catalytic amount of cationic surfactants were mixed in tetrahydrofuran and refluxed without ever obtaining a clear reaction mixture. After hot filtration, the product was isolated from the hot tetrahydrofuran solution in very high or almost quantitative yields.