alpha-bromopropionic acid Alanine (4.

0g, 45 mmol) was added to a saturated solution of KBr (10ml), followe d by dropwise addition of HBr (15ml of a 47% soln). The resulting mixture was th en cooled to 0C and NaNO2 (6.21g, 90mmol) was added over 1h. The reaction mixture was maintained below 5C for a further 1h and then allowed to warm to room temp. The resulting soln was then extracted Et2O (3 x 25ml), the combined ether extrac ts were then dried over MgSO4 and concentrated in vacuo to give a pale yellow oi l (6.54g) in 95% yield. This was distilled under reduced pressure to give pure b romopropanoic acid. B.p. 68-70C/0.1 mmHg. Ref: Archer, Catherine H.; Thomas, Neil R.; Gani, David; TASYE3; Tetrahedron: As ymmetry; EN; 4; 6; 1993; 1141-1152