Determination of absolute configurations of amines and amino acids using nonchiral derivatizing agents (NCDA) and deuterium NMR.

Enantiomeric analysis and empirical determination of the absolute configuration of amines and amino acids can be easily performed using acetyl-d(3) chloride as a nonchiral derivatizing agent (deuterium probe) and deuterium NMR in a chiral solvent (Courtieu's method). In the case of amino acids, derivatization to amido esters, performed with methanol-d(4) and acetyl-d(3) chloride, gives a double opportunity for enantiomeric analysis.