Figure 10.7. Strecker Synthesis: Step 2
An amino acid is generated from the aminonitrile.The starting material for the Strecker synthesis is a planar carbonyl-containing compound;
therefore, the product of this pathway is a racemic mixture. The incoming nucleophiles are equally
able to attack from either side of the carbonyl; thus, both L- and D-amino acids can be generated
through this process.
GABRIEL SYNTHESIS
Another way of synthesizing amino acids is the Gabriel (malonic-ester) synthesis, shown in Figure
10.8.