Alpha-methyl Amino-acids By Catalytic Phase-transfer Alkylations

The α-methyl amino acids, α-methyl p-chlorophenylalanine, α-methyl p-tyrosine, α-methyl m-tyrosine and α-methyl DOPA have been prepared in good yields from amino ester hydrochlorides. The key step in the method is the catalytic phase-transfer alkylation of Schiff base derivatives of mono alkyl amino acids