Phenylalanine phenyl bromide

The benzylbromomalonic acid containing water is now heated in an oil bath to 125°—130°, and the fused mass evolves carbon dioxide and a certain amount of hydrobromic acid. The reaction is complete in the course of 30—45 minutes. The residue is a yellow oil, which even at a low temperature does not crystallise, and which in the main consists of phenyl-a-bromopropionic acid. For the purpose of purification it is washed with water, taken up in ether, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulphate the ether is then distilled off. The mobile, almost colourless oil remaining is dissolved in 5 times its volume (excess) of 25% aqueous ammonia, and either heated for 3 hours to 100° in a sealed tube or allowed to stand for 3 to 4 days at ordinary temperature. On evaporation of the ammo-niacal solution an almost colourless residue is left, and this chiefly consists of ammonium bromide and phenylalanine. On boiling with absolute alcohol the amino-acid is left undissolved and is recrystallised from hot water. 

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