A variety of transition metal complexes of a-amino acid esters have been synthesized, and characterized by analysis, conductivity measurements, and infrared spectra. The complexes can be broadly divided into two groups: (a) complexes in which only a metal-nitrogen bond occurs with the α-amino group of the ester, and (b) complexes in which chelate ring formation occurs via secondary donor groups on the ligand. These latter complexes are found with methyl L-histidinate, methyl γ-glutamate, and methyl L-cysteinate. With the exception of a methyl tryptophanate complex, the infrared spectra show that there is no interaction between the carbonyl group of the ester and the metal ion. The visible spectra of aqueous solutions of the esters and copper(II) at a ligand/metal ratio of 5 : 1 have maxima in the 600-650 mμ range at pH 7 consistent with copper-nitrogen bonding only.