Abstract
A general method for the synthesis of χ, β -diamino acids from azlactones is described. Treatment of azlactones with ammonia and then with hydroxylamine yielded χ -N-benzoyl-aminoacrylic acid amides and α-N-benzoylamino-β-hydroxylamino acid amides respectively. Catalytic hydrogenation of α-N-benzoylamino-β-hydroxylamino acid amides in ethanol using palladium-charcoal (10% Pd) as a catalyst generally gave high yields of α-N-benzoylamino-β-amino acid amides. Hydrolysis of the reduced products, using a variety of conditions, produced the required α, β-diamino acids.