(2S,4S)-4-Arylamino-2-carboxy-5-pyrrolidones were prepared by hydrolys
is of dimethyl (2S,4S)-4-arylamino-N-phthaloylglutamtaes. The protonat
ion constants of the arylamino group in the synthesized compounds were
determined. The pyrrolidone ring is stable in acidic or neutral solut
ions. The relative stability of the pyrrolidone ring in alkaline solut
ions was studied by IR spectroscopy.