k)MM XICATIOXS To THK EDITOR Vnl. (i l ure of 1.5 g. of ethyl acetamido-2-(benzylveratryl)-malonate and II) ml. of 47% hydriodic acid, stabilized with hypophosphite, was refluxed under a slow stream of nitrogen for 9 hr. Excess hydriodic acid was distilled off in vacuo at below 95°. The yellow viscous oily residue was dissolved in a minimum of water, and the amino acid was liberated by adjusting to pH 0 with a saturated potassium carbonate solution. The colorless solid was recrys-tallized from dime!hyIfi>rmamide. m.p. 210 2-1 Xo doe. The yield was 0.70 g. (71.5%J.Anal. Caled, for (%Hr, X(),: (1, 00.NS; II, 5.90. found. C, 66.79; H, 6.22. Extensive decomposition occurred when freshly distilled and hypophosphile-stabilized hydrobmmic acid was substituted for hydriodic acid in t his experiment.