Patent ID: 7183425

Claim:
A process for preparing a compound of formula IA or IB: comprising the steps of: a. Combining a ketone or ketal with an α-aminoester of formula II in the presence of a base and solvent to form an imine metal carboxylate of formula III, and b. Reducing the imine metal carboxylate of formula III to produce a compound of formula IA or IB; wherein R 1 is C 1-5 alkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R 2 is C 1-5 alkyl, C 1-5 haloalkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl, arylalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R 3 C 1-5 alkyl, C 1-5 haloalkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, CF 3 , CHF 2 , CH 2 F or C 2 F 5 ; R 4 is C 1-5 alkyl; M is hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium or cesium.