PROCESS FOR PRODUCING L-a-METHYLCYSTEINE DERIVATIVE

摘要

A process for easily producing an L- alpha -methylcysteine derivative or its salt, which is useful as a drug intermediate, from a cheap easily procurable raw material through an enzymatic D-stereoselective hydrolysis of racemic 5-halomethyl-5-methyl-hydantoin. L- alpha -methylcysteine derivative or its salt is produced by converting racemic 5-halomethyl-5-methylhydantoin to L-5-halomethyl-5-methylhydantoin through an enzymatic D-stereoselective hydrolysis, reacting the L-5-halomethyl-5-methylhydantoin with a sulfurizing agent into L-5-methyl-5-thiomethylhydantoin and hydrolyzing the L-5-methyl-5-thiomethylhydantoin.