Absolute Configuration of (R)-1-Phenylethylammonium (S)-2-(6-Methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionate

The title salt, C₈H₁₂N⁺.C₁₄H₁₃O₃^-, results from the reaction of known (R)-1-phenylethylamine with naproxen, an inhibitor of the cyclo-oxygenase responsible for the biosynthesis of prostaglandins. Naproxen exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity in man. The crystal structure determination confirms the absolute (S)-geometry of the chiral C atom of naproxen previously reported. There are three intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the NH₃⁺ and COO^- groups.

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