[ace]

What is the mechanism tht is involved in adding chloroacetic acid to an amine?  Does this reaction require basic conditions or will it simply add at neutral pH?

[Fry]

Slightly basic conditions may be optimal. Otherwise the acidic proton may slow down the reaction rate by interferring with the nucleophilicity of the amine. It would be an a nucleophillic substitution reaction that avoids the need for a carbocation intermediate.

You didnt actually mean acid chloride, right?

[ace]

Thanks Fry for your response.   I do meant chloroacetic acid.  thanks

[gaurang]

Take a reaction in EDC add amines and KOH and heat to reflux now start addition of Chloro acetic acid in EDC .

You will find salt KCl which shows your reaction is going on.