Method for preparing and purifying an N-alkylated aspartame derivative (neotame) useful as a sweetening agent

摘要

A method for preparing and purifying N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L- alpha -aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester from aspartame (of the formula shown) and 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde by hydrogenation in an organic solvent solution followed by the formation of an aqueous/organic solvent solution having an organic solvent content of about 17% to about 30% by weight of the aqueous/organic solvent solution.