Process for racemization of N-acetyl-(D)L-.alpha.-amino carboxylic acids

US6080887A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Degussa AG · DE

Inventors

• Karlheinz Drauz · Alzenau, DE
• Michael Karrenbauer · Radolfzell, DE
• Andreas Bommarius · Frankfurt, DE
• Gunter Knaup · Bruchköbel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 10, 1998
• Grant date: Jun 27, 2000
• Expiry date: Jun 10, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C231/16
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

With known methods of racemizing N-acetyl-D(L)-.alpha.-amino carboxylic acids in the non-aqueous state by heating them to temperatures above room temperatures, significant quantities of by-products are formed, especially acetyl dipeptides. By converting at least a proportion of the N-acetyl-D(L)-.alpha.-amino carboxylic acids to corresponding N-acetyl-D(L)-.alpha.-amino carboxylic acid salts before or during the heating, it is possible to increase the sojourn time of the educt which is to be racemized at higher temperatures without any evident increase in the quantity of by-product formed (in particular acetylated dipeptides). Also disclosed is the production of optically active amino acids by enzymatic splitting of racemic compounds.