Patent ID: 8309754

Claim:
A functionalized amino acid compound of formula I: wherein the compound of formula I is selected from: wherein: X is selected from: —CH 2 COO—; —CH(CH 3 )COO—; —CH 2 CH 2 OCH 2 COO—; and, —CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 COO—; Y is selected from: —COCH 2 O—; —COCH 2 OCH 2 CH 2 O—; —COCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 O—; and, a, b, and c, are independently selected from 0-2, provided that a+b+c total from 2-4; R′ is selected from hydrogen, benzyl, and a straight-chained or branched C 1-6 alkyl.