Method of preparing optically active .alpha.-amino acids and .alpha.-amino acid derivatives

US6018050A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Degussa AG · DE

Inventors

• Hans-Josef Altenbach · Wuppertal, DE
• Matthias Kottenhahn · Alzenau, DE
• Annegret Vogt · Morristown, US
• Mike Matthaus · Wuppertal, DE
• Andreas Grundler · Wuppertal, DE
• Michael Hahn · Langenfeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 30, 1998
• Grant date: Jan 25, 2000
• Expiry date: Apr 30, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C227/32
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to a new process for the preparation of optically active amino acids and amino acid derivatives of the general formula (I), wherein *, X and R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 have the meaning given in the description. Starting from commercially obtainable (-)-menthol or (+)-menthol, the enantiomerically pure compounds of the formula (I) are obtained in high yields. The method is particularly suitable for the preparation of sterically demanding amino acids and amino acid derivatives.