Method and intermediates for producing alpha -L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine

摘要

This invention encompasses a method and intermediates for preparing a commercial sweetening agent, alpha -L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester. The process involves reacting L-aspartic acid with diketene to form N-acetoacetyl-L-aspartic acid which is converted to N-acetoacetyl-L-aspartic anhydride by reaction with acetic anhydride. N-acetoacetyl-L-aspartic anhydride is reacted with L-phenylalanine methyl ester to provide N-acetoacetyl- alpha -L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester which is converted to alpha -L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester by reaction with hydroxylamine hydrochloride.