Patent ID: 8063244

Claim:
Process for the preparation of (S)(+)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid, of formula (I), or a salt thereof, comprising: a) the reaction of a compound of formula (II) with zinc azide of formula (III) Zn(N 3 ) 2 (III) in the presence of a solvent of formula R 1 —OH, wherein R 1 is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 8 alkyl, aryl or aryl-C 1 -C 8 alkyl group; to obtain a compound of formula (IV) wherein R 1 is as defined above; b) its conversion into a compound of formula (V) wherein R 1 is as defined above; c) its enantiomeric enrichment in the (S) enantiomer of formula (VI) wherein R 1 is as defined above; and d) the hydrolysis of a compound of formula (VI); and, if desired, the conversion of a compound of formula (I) into a salt thereof, or vice versa.