Oxidations involving silver. Part VI. Oxidation of α-amino-acids and α-amino-esters with silver(II) picolinate and silver(II) oxide

Abstract

Oxidation of α-amino-acids by silver(II) picolinate gives almost quantitative yields of nor-aldehydes. The action of silver(II) oxide yields nor-acids in most cases, although the aldehyde is produced intermediately. The keto-acid is not an intermediate in these reactions. Oxidation of α-amino-esters gives the corresponding α-keto-esters, with oxidative elimination as a competing reaction.