Patent ID: 6720169
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: A45D,B32B,C07C,C07D,C12P,G09F

Abstract:
A process for preparing an (S)-2-amino-&ohgr;-oxoalkanoic acid represented by formula 1, wherein n equals 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 and R1 and R2 each independently represent an alkyl group with 1-10 carbon atoms or form a ring with 3 or 4 carbon atoms together with the oxygen atoms to which they are bound and the carbon atom to which the oxygen atoms are bound, comprising converting an acetal-protected aldehyde of formula 3 into the corresponding aminonitrile represented by formula 4with n, R1 and R2 as described above in the presence of ammonia with the aid of a cyanide compound,converting the aminonitrile into the corresponding amino acid amide represented by formula 5with n, R1, R2, as described above in the presence of a base and a ketone or aldehyde, subjecting the amino acid amide to an enzymatic, enantioselective hydrolysis in which the (R)-enantiomer of the amino acid amide remains and the (S)-enantiomer is converted into the (S)-amino acid, andisolating the (S) amino acid.