Conversion of α‐Amino Acids into Nitriles by Oxidative Decarboxylation with Trichloroisocyanuric Acid

Abstract

Trichloroisocyanuric acid oxidation of α‐amino acids in water or methanol in the presence of pyridine produces nitriles with one less carbon in good yields and of high purity.

Keywords:

• α‐Amino acids
• Nitriles
• Oxidative decarboxylation
• Oxidation
• Decarboxylation
• Preparation
• Synthesis
• Trichloroisocyanuric acid

Acknowledgment

This research was supported in part by a grant from the CSU Special Fund for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity to G. A. H. and funds from the Southern California Academy of Sciences Research Training Program to J. W. B.