One-pot, large-scale synthesis of Nickel(II) complexes derived from 2-[N-(alpha-picolyl)amino]benzophenone (PABP) and alpha- or beta-amino acids.

A one-pot, large-scale procedure for preparing the Belokon-Soloshonok nucleophilic glycine equivalent 2-[N-(alpha-picolyl)amino]benzophenone (PABP) derived Ni(II) complex [GlyNi(II)PABP] is described. It has been accomplished by using isobutyl chloroformate to form PABP and then NaH/KOH as mixed bases to afford the corresponding complexes in a one-pot manner (up to an overall yield of 98%). The potential of this method for preparation of beta-amino acids derivatives, such as beta-AlaNi(II)PABP and beta-PheNi(II)PABP, has been demonstrated. The structure of beta-AlaNi(II)PABP is characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.