Method for producing alpha-aspartylphenylalanine derivatives

Abstract: A method for producing an α-aspartylphenylalanine derivative represented by formula (II) comprises reacting a β-aspartylphenylalanine derivative represented by formula (I) wherein R₁ and R₂ represent hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with a basic compound in a solvent in the presence of an inorganic compound or an organic compound of zinc, copper, nickel, magnesium, aluminum, iron, tin, silicon and/or titanium.

Description: The present invention relates to a method for producing an α-aspartylphenylalanine derivative (hereafter simply referred to as α-AP derivative) represented by the general formula II from a β-aspartylphenylalanine derivative (hereafter simply referred to as β-AP derivative): wherein R₁ and R₂ represent hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. For the production of α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (hereafter simply referred to as α-APM) which is useful as a sweetener, a variety of methods are known. Among them, most of the methods comprise protecting the amino group of L-aspartic acid with any group selected from, for example, carboxybenzoxy group, formyl group, a hydrogen halide, etc., converting the compound into the corresponding anhydride, condensing the anhydride with L-phenylalanine methyl ester to form N-protected L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, and then splitting the protection group off to obtain α-APM. However, according to these methods, the by-production of β-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (hereinafter simply referred to as β-APM) is unavoidable. On the other hand, there is known a method (Published Examined Japanese Patent Application No. 277696/1986) for producing α-AP derivatives (formula (II)) and α-aspartylphenylalanine anhydride derivatives (hereinafter simply referred to as DKP derivatives) from β-AP derivatives (formula (I)). However, the yield of the desired α-AP derivatives is low and large quantities of by-products are produced. The method is further disadvantageous since large quantities of DKP derivatives are formed. In the case of converting the DKP derivatives to the α-AP derivatives, the yield is poor and large quantities of by-products are also formed. For this reason, it is desired that the formation of DKP derivatives be avoided. In order to solve this problem, it was extremely important to develop a technique for preventing the formation of DKP derivatives and greatly improving the yield of α-AP derivatives. That is, when the α-AP derivatives can be prepared from the β-AP derivatives in a high yield, such process greatly contributes to the industry since the α-AP derivatives can readily be converted into α-APM. As a result of extensive investigation on a method for preparing α-AP derivatives from the β-AP derivatives in a high yield, the present inventors have surprisingly found that by reacting an β-AP derivative with a basic compound in an alcohol solvent in the presence of an inorganic compound of zinc, copper, nickel, magnesium, aluminum, iron, tin, silicon and/or titanium or an organic compound thereof, the α-AP derivative (formula (II)) can be prepared in an extremely high yield. The present invention relates to a method for producing an α-aspartylphenylalanine derivative represented by formula (II) which comprises reacting a β-aspartylphenylalanine derivative represented by formula (I) wherein R₁ and R₂ represent hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with a basic compound in a solvent in the presence of an inorganic compound or an organic compound of zinc, copper, nickel, magnesium, aluminum, iron, tin, silicon and/or titanium. According to the method of the present invention, undesired DKP derivatives are not formed or if any, are formed in an extremely small amount. The α-AP derivative obtained according to the method of the present invention can easily be converted to the α-APM hydrochloride (hereafter simply referred to as α-APM.HC1) in a conventional manner, for example, when the α-AP derivative is present in an aqueous solution containing HC1 and methanol (Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 129258/1984). As the raw materials used in the present invention, β-AP derivatives shown by formula (I) can be used. Among them, β-aspartylphenylalanine dimethyl ester (the α-carboxyl group of aspartic acid residue of β-APM is methyl-esterified; hereafter simply referred to as β-APM₂) and β-aspartylphenylalanine α-methyl ester (the α-carboxyl group of aspartic acid residue of β-aspartylphenylalanine is methyl-esterified; hereafter simply referred to as β-A(M)P) can be particularly advantageously used. There is no particular disadvantage even though some α-AP derivatives are present in addition to the above raw material. As a matter of course, even though the β-AP derivative may be in the form of HC1 or sulfuric acid salts, the β-AP derivative can be used directly as the raw material. For reference, the β-AP derivative shown by formula (I) can be obtained in a known manner. Among the β-AP derivatives shown by formula (I), in the case that R₁ is hydrogen, the β-AP derivative can be obtained by converting the α-carboxyl group of aspartic acid into, for example, the benzyl ester, protecting the N-terminal with a protective group conventionally used, reacting with a phenylalanine alkyl ester in the presence of a condensing agent such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to convert it into the N-protected aspartylphenylalanine alkyl ester and then removing the N-protective group and the benzyl ester group in a conventional manner. Further in the case that R₂ of the β-AP derivative is hydrogen, the β-AP derivative can be obtained by using an alkyl ester of the α-carboxyl group of aspartic acid, protecting the N-terminal with a protective group conventionally used, reacting the α-carboxyl group with benzylated phenylalanine in the presence of a condensing agent as described above and then removing the N-protective group and the benzyl ester group in a conventional manner. Further in the case that both R₁ and R₂ of the β-AP derivative are an alkyl group, the β-AP derivative can be obtained by condensing the N-protected aspartic acid having an alkyl esterified α-carboxyl group with a phenylalanine having the alkyl esterified α-carboxyl group in a similar manner and then removing the N-protective group. Furthermore in the case that both R₂ and R₃ of the β-AP derivative are hydrogen, the β-AP derivative can be obtained by saponifying an alkyl ester of the three described above with an alkali. The β-AP derivative which is N-protected with a formyl group, hydrogen halide, etc. can be used as the N-protected β-aspartylphenylalanine alkyl ester (or dialkyl ester) without removing the N-protective group. Next, conditions for forming the derivative of formula (II) from the derivative of formula (I) are described. The solvent is not particularly limited but preferably an alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, etc. is used. Of course, an organic solvent such as toluene, acetone, dichloroethane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate and a solvent mixture with water, etc. are also effective. The inorganic and organic compounds to be added may be ionic or non-ionic compounds of zinc, copper, nickel, magnesium, aluminum, iron, tin, silicon and/or titanium, or alternatively, the metals as such may be added. For example, the metals, etc. described above may be used directly but in this case, reaction with basic compounds in the presence of sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid is more effective. Examples of the compounds include hydroxides such as zinc hydroxide, copper hydroxide, nickel hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, iron hydroxide, etc.; inorganic salts such as zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, copper chloride, nickel chloride, copper sulfate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, aluminum chloride, ferric sulfate, tin chloride, titanium chloride, etc.; organic salts such as zinc acetate, copper acetate, nickel acetate, aluminum acetate, basic aluminum acetate, etc.; compounds obtained by coordinating the aforesaid metals with chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, etc.; and alkyl compounds such as methyl, ethyl, etc. The aforesaid compounds may also contain crystal water. Further, the metals, etc. or ions thereof described above may also be retained on ion exchange resins or chelating resins or immobilized on membranes, etc. The amount of the inorganic and organic compound to be used may vary depending upon the kind but is at least 0.01 mole or more based on one mole of the β-AP derivative. From economical consideration, an amount of 0.01 to 3.0 moles per mole of the β-AP derivative is appropriate. The basic compound to be added is not particularly limited but mention may be made of organic bases such as triethylamine, pyridine, etc.; inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogencarbonate, ammonia, etc.; hydroxides of magnesium, iron, aluminum, etc.; sodium acetate, sodium methylate, etc. The amount of the basic compound to be used may vary depending upon kind but is generally the 0.1 to 10-fold molar amount based on the β-AP derivative. The reaction of the present invention is carried out by mixing the aforesaid β-AP derivative, the alcohol solvent, the inorganic and organic compounds and the basic compound with or without stirring. In this case, the reaction temperature is generally chosen from a range of -30°C to 150°C. When the temperature is too low, the reaction rate decreases; when the temperature is too high, side reactions such as polymerization, etc. occur. Therefore, a range from -20°C to 100°C is preferred. The reaction time may vary depending upon reaction temperature and the kind or amount of the basic compound but is generally within 10 hours. The reaction is completed generally in an hour when a strongly basic compound such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium methylate, etc. is used as the basic compound. According to the method of the present invention, the β-AP derivative can be converted to the α-AP derivative in an extremely high yield. Therefore, α-APM can be readily produced in a high yield. Further, no DKP derivative is produced in the reaction solution; or, if any, the DKP derivative is formed in an extremely small amount. In addition, the major by-product is the β-AP derivative so that the β-AP derivative can be recycled as the raw material of the present invention. The reaction can be completed in a short time in a high concentration of the β-AP derivative without heating the β-AP derivative at high temperature. Therefore, the cost of equipment can be greatly reduced. As described above, the present invention is extremely important for industrialization which allows the production of α-APM at low costs. Hereafter the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the examples but is not deemed to be limited thereto. Example 1 To 60 ml of methanol solution containing 3.08 g of β-APM₂ was added 1.4 g of zinc sulfate heptahydrate. The mixture was stirred. Then, the temperature was elevated to 20°C and 10 ml of methanol solution comprising 1 mole/l potassium hydroxide was added to the system followed by reacting for 20 minutes. α-Aspartylphenylalanine dimethyl ester (the β-carboxyl group of aspartic acid of α-aspartylphenylalanine methyl ester was methyl esterified; hereafter simply referred to as α-APM₂) in the reaction solution was quantitatively determined by high performance liquid chromatography. As a result, 66.1% of α-APM₂ was formed based on β-APM₂. The formation of the DKP derivative was trace. Example 2 Amounts of α-APM₂ and α-APM formed by reacting under conditions similar to Example 1 except for the presence of additives shown in Table 1 in place of zinc sulfate heptahydrate were quantitatively determined. The results are shown in Table 1. Run No. Additive (moles based on 1 mole β-APM₂), amount of α-APM₂ and α-APM (based on β-APM₂: %) l CuCl₂ 0.5 64.4 H₂O 3.5 2 Zn(CH₃CO₂)₂.2H₂O 0.5 63.7 H₂O 2.0 3 ZnCl₂ 0.5 58.8 ion exchange resin 50 4 MgCO₃ 0.5 40.5 5 Al₂O(CH₃COO)₄.4H₂O 0.5 45.4 6 Fe₂(SO₄)₃.H₂O 0.5 35.7 Example 3 To 29.4 g of β-APM were added 500 ml of methanol and 6.5 ml of 98 wt% H₂SO₄ The mixture was heated to reflux for an hour with stirring. Then, the reaction was further continued for 6 hours with stirring while adding 200 ml of methanol. To the reaction solution was added 5.0 g of zinc hydroxide. The mixture was kept at 20°C and 250 ml of methanol solution containing 1 mole/l potassium hydroxide were added. The mixture was reacted for 2 minutes. A small amount was subjected to sampling for quantitative determination. As a result, 58.3% of α-APM₂ and 4.2% of α-APM, 68.4% in total, were formed based on β-APM. Formation of the DKP derivative was trace and 12.2% of β-APM₂ remained. Example 4 The method was the same as in Example 3, with the exception that 10 g of sodium hydroxide was added in place of the methanol solution containing 1 mole/l potassium hydroxide. The mixture was reacted for 30 minutes. As a result of quantitative determination of α-APM₂ and α-APM, 64.8% was formed in total. Example 5 In the method of Example 3, 49 g of 28 wt% sodium methylate was added in place of the methanol solution containing 1 mole/l potassium hydroxide. The mixture was reacted in a similar manner. Based on β-APM, 67.9% of α-APM₂ and 2.5% of α-APM, 70.4% in total, were formed. Example 6 To 60 ml of methanol solution containing 1.72 g of β-APM₂ HCl salt and 1.72 g of α-APM₂ HCl salt was added 0.55 g of zinc hydroxide. The mixture was stirred. Then, the temperature was adjusted to 10°C and the mixture was added to 5.4 ml of 4 mole/l sodium hydroxide-methanol solution (dilution of 48 wt% NaOH aqueous solution with methanol) followed by reaction for 10 minutes. Quantitative determination of α-APM₂ showed 2.61 g as α-APM₂ HCl salt. Reference Example 1 The procedure was performed in a manner similar to Example 1 except that no zinc sulfate heptahydrate was added. The rate of α-APM₂ formed was 25.5%. Besides, many by-products were formed. Reference Example 2 The procedure was performed in a manner similar to Example 1 except that no zinc hydroxide was added. The rate of α-APM₂ formed was 26.0%. Reference Example 3 The whole volume of the final reaction solution obtained in Example 3 was concentrated until the system became oily. To the concentrate were added 42 ml of 35 wt% hydrochloric acid solution and water to make the whole volume about 150 ml. The mixture was stirred at 20°C for 7 days and then stirred at 5°C for 2 days. The precipitated APM.HCl crystals were obtained by filtration and 300 ml of water was added to the crystals followed by neutralization with 10% Na₂CO₃ aqueous solution at pH of 4.5. Then, the system was heated to 60 to 65°C to dissolve. Activated charcoal, 0.2 g, was added and the mixture was stirred and then filtered. The filtrate was allowed to stand at 5°C for 24 hours. The precipitated crystals were isolated by filtration and dried under reduced pressure, whereby 14.1 g of crystals (47.9% based on β-APM) were obtained. The crystals were identified to be α-APM by analysis with high performance liquid chromatography.

Claims: A method for producing an α-aspartylphenlalanine derivative represented by formula (II) which comprises reacting a β-aspartylphenylalanine derivative represented by formula (I) wherein R₁ and R₂ represent hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with a basic compound in a solvent in the presence of an inorganic compound or an organic compound of zinc, copper, nickel, magnesium, aluminum, iron, tin, silicon and/or titanium. A method according to claim 1 wherein R₁ and R₂ are hydrogen or methyl group. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the solvent is an alcohol, preferably a lower aliphatic alcohol.

Inventors: TAKAHASHI SATOJI, TAKEMOTO TADASHI, TAKAHASHI, SATOJI, TAKEMOTO, TADASHI
Applicants: AJINOMOTO KK, AJINOMOTO CO., INC.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: C07K5
IPC codes: C07K5, B01J31, C07K1, C07B61, B01J27, A23L1, B01J23