Process for preparing 5-aminolevulinic acid

摘要

A process for preparing 5-aminolevulinic acid or a salt thereof, which comprises reacting furfurylamine, of which the amino group has been protected, with oxygen molecule under irradiation by light in the presence of a sensitizer; hydrogenating the resulting compound in the presence of a metallic catalyst; and hydrolyzing the hydrogenated compound. 5-Aminolevulinic acid, useful as a raw material for various chemicals and as an agricultural chemical, can be prepared at a high yield by a simple procedure from a raw material which is inexpensive and readily available.