Patent ID: 6090982
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: C07B,C07C

Abstract:
Process for the preparation of an aminonitrile having the formula ##STR12## which comprises the steps of: (1) contacting CPCA with a highly enantiomerically pure amine having the formula ##STR13## in the presence of a solvent comprising an alkanol, water or a mixture thereof to obtain an imine having the formula: ##STR14## (2) contacting the imine of formula (II) with a cyanide selected from alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and trimethylsilyl cyanides in the presence of a solvent comprising an alkanol, water or a mixture thereof to produce aminonitrile (III);wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl radical, e.g., unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl; R.sup.2 is a carbocyclic aryl radical; and aminonitrile (III) consists of a mixture of diastereomers with the ratio of major to minor diastereomers of greater than 2:1.