Process for the electrochemical synthesis of N-acetylcysteine from cystine

摘要

PCT No. PCT/ES97/00113 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 12, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 12, 1999 PCT Filed May 7, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/42358 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 13, 1997The process comprises: (A) obtainment of N-acetyl-cysteine from L-cystine, by means of the following steps: (i) acetylation of L-cystine to produce N-acetyl-cystine; (ii) electroreduction and desalination by electrodialysis of the N-acetyl-cystine thus produced to give N-acetyl-cysteine; or (B) obtainment of N-acetyl-cysteine from L-cystine, by means of the following steps: (i) acetylation and desalination of L-cystine to produce N-acetyl-cystine; (ii) electroreduction of N-acetyl-cystine which may or may not come from the preceding step (i) to produce N-acetyl-cysteine; (C) obtainment of N-acetyl-cysteine from L-cystine by means of the following steps: (i) electroreduction of L-cystine to produce L-cysteine; (ii) acetylation and desalination by electrodialysis of L-cysteine, which may or may not come from the preceding step (i) to produce N-acetyl-cysteine. The N-acetyl-cysteine thus obtained has important uses in the pharmaceutical sector.