An efficient route from trifluoroacetates to water soluble free amines using Diaion HP-20

A series of polybasic lysine and ornithine derivatives were synthesised as trifluoroacetate salts. Attempts to prepare their free amines according to standard methodology were not successful due to the excellent water solubility of these compounds. Free amines were however efficiently obtained if the column with Diaion HP-20 adsorbent was loaded with the trifluoroacetate and 1% NaHCO(3) aq was passed, followed by elution of free amine with methanol.