Isovaleryl bromide

Bromural (Bromovaletone) This drug is made the same way that Carbromal is made, except that the intermediate is bromo-isovaleryl bromide. The 1 to 1 molar ratio and everything else remains unchanged. Yields colorless crystals, mp 147-149°. This is a rapid-action, short-duration hypnotic. It is well tolerated and has a low toxicity. Dosage 300-600 mg. 

Af -2,2-Bis(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl-protected amino acids are prepared by reaction of commercially available diethyl 2-(ethoxymethylene)malonate (127) with the respective amino acid in methanolic KOH. This rapid reaction is complete within 5 minutes and leads to the potassium salts. Subsequent acidification with 1M HCl yields the amino acid derivative in 75-90% yield.f This intermediate enamine-type N-protection is of particular interest in chemistry to be performed on the carboxy groups of the amino acids such as esterification with alkyl bromides in the presence of a base. Since cleavage of the enamine entity is achieved by treatment with bromine in chloroform at room temperature, it cannot be used for amino acids sensitive to halogenation such as tyrosine, tryptophan, and methionine (Scheme 61). Based on the experience gained with the enamine-type protection the Al-2-(4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohexylidene)ethyl (Dde) and N-2-(4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohex-ylidene)isovaleryl derivatives were developed as specific side-chain protecting groups (see Section 2.1.2.2.5.2). 

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