(2S)-2-amino-N-methyl-4-methylsulfanylbutanamide

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: There were added to 40.0 grams (247 mmoles) of (S)-methionine mono-methylamide dissolved in 100 ml of n-pentane 27.5 ml (250 mmoles) of pivalaldehyde. The reaction mixture was boiled on the water separator until the formation of water ended (3 hours). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and there remained behind 52.2 grams (92% of theory) of (S)-N-(2', 2'- dimethylpropylidene)-methionine mono-methylamide which was further processed without further purification. (3 hours) The solvent was removed under reduced pressure was further processed without further purification