Patent ID: 6133002
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: A45D,B32B,C07C,C07D,C12P,G09F

Abstract:
A process for preparing an (S)-2-amino-.omega.-oxoalkanoic acid represented by 1, ##STR11## wherein n equals 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 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, comprisingconverting the corresponding aldehyde represented by formula 2 ##STR12## with n as described above with the aid of an alcohol, a diol or an orthoformate ester into the corresponding acetal-protected aldehyde represented by formula 3 ##STR13## with n, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 as described above, converting the acetal-protected aldehyde into the corresponding aminonitrile represented by formula 4 ##STR14## with n, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 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 5 ##STR15## with n, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, 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.