PREPARATION OF AMINO ACID

摘要

PURPOSE:To obtain an amino acid in a high yield, by bringing an alpha-amino nitrile into contact with water in the liguid phase in the presence of a specific catalyst at 0-250 deg.C. CONSTITUTION:An alpha-aminonitrile, e.g. aminoacetonitrile, lactonitrile, etc. of formula (R<1> and R<2> are H or hydnocarbon residues; R<3> and R<4> are H or protective groups for the amino group) is brought into contact with water in the liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst containing a metal of group II B in the periodic table or its compound at 0-250 deg.C for 30min-10hr to give an amino acid, e.g. glycine, etc. Zinc powder, potassium powder, ZnO, CdO, Zn(OH)2, ZnSO4, etc. in an amount of 0.01-20times the molar amount of the alpha-aminonitrile may be used as the catalyst. EFFECT:Simple process without using acids and alkalis. No problem of waste water treatment. USE:Food additives, medicines, intermediates for various types of industrial chemicals, etc.