Synthesis and piezoelectric properties of N-phthaloylglutamic acid derivatives

The ( S , S )- and ( R , R )-enantiomers of dimethyl 2,4-diphthalimidoglutarate were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of bromine in dimethyl (2 S ,4 RS )-4-bromo- N -phthaloyl-glutamate upon treatment with potassium phthalimide, followed by separation. The crystal structure of the obtained compounds was studied by X-ray diffraction. Crystals of enantiomerically pure dimethyl 4-hydroxy- and 4-phthalimido- N -phthaloylglutamates were found to possess a noticeable piezoelectric activity.