The Synthesis of β-Aminoethyl Ketones as Potential Antagonists of β-Alanine*

Abstract

The organocadmium reagent was adapted to the synthesis of alkyl β-aminoethyl ketones from β-alanine. Some aryl β-aminoethyl ketones were synthesized from β-alanine through the Friedel-Crafts reaction. These two series of β-aminoethyl ketones were proposed as potential antagonists of β-alanine in the metabolism of certain microorganisms. Both the alkyl and aryl β-aminoethyl ketones show antibacterial effect when tested against S. aureus and E. coli in vitro.