The racemization of N-methylamino-acid derivatives in aqueous sodium hydroxide and hydrogen bromide in anhydrous acetic acid and other solvents has been investigated by determining the products of the reaction with an amino-acid analyzer after deprotection. Whereas MeIle-OMe, Z-MeIle, and the N-unmethylated derivatives were only slightly racemized ( <2%), Z-MeIle-OMe (18–24%), Z-Ala-MeLeu-OMe (22%), and Z-Ala-MeLeu-OBu′ (7%) were appreciably racemized by aqueous sodium hydroxide. It is suggested that these derivatives racemize because of the absence of an > N—H or carboxyl group whose ionization would suppress ionization of the neighboring α-C—H bond. Z-Melle and Z-Ala-MeLeu were substantially racemized (68% in 4 h and 34% in 1 h, respectively) by 5.6 N hydrogen bromide in acetic acid. The extent of racemization by acid varied with acid strength, polarity of solvent, and time. Incorporation of label into both isomers of Ala-MeLeu from a solution of the tritiated reagent established that ionization at the α-C—H bond had occurred. No racemization was caused by aqueous acid or by hydrogen chloride.
Abraham model correlations for estimating solute transfer of neutral molecules into anhydrous acetic acid from water and from the gas phase
