PROCESS FOR PREPARING (SCHIFF BASE OF) alpha-ALKYL-alpha-AMINO ACID AMIDE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process by which a Schiff base of anα-alkyl-α-amino acid amide and an aldehyde can be prepared with a high yield and a high selectivity even when a reaction mixture contains water. SOLUTION: This process comprises bringing the correspondingα-aminonitrile into contact with a base and the aldehyde and ensuring that the reagents are in good contact. The resultant Schiff base may further be hydrolyzed to form theα-alkyl-α-amino acid amide and the aldehyde. A substituted or an unsubstituted benzaldehyde is preferably used as the aldehyde. The reaction is preferably carried out in a practically homogeneously mixed phase obtained by using a solvent, e.g. methanol or ethanol. NaOH or KOH is preferably used as the base.