SYNTHESIS OF S-TRIFLUOROMETHYL-CONTAINING ALPHA-AMINO-ACIDS FROM SODIUM TRIFLUOROMETHANESULFINATE AND DITHIO-AMINO ACIDS

N-Protonated or N-acetylated dimethyl cystinates and homocystinates react with sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate and t-butyl hydroperoxide to yield the corresponding derivatives of methyl S-trifluoromethyl cysteinate and homocysteinate in a stereospecific manner. Methyl S-trifluoromethyl-N-acetyl cysteinate and homocysteinate are readily saponified, without racemization, by sodium hydrogen carbonate in a water/methanol mixture.