Reductive amination of an amino acid or of an amino acid derivative with an amp;agr;-keto acid or an amp;agr;-keto acid derivative

摘要

N-substituted &agr;-amino acids and dipeptides are valuable intermediate products for the production of inhibitors of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE); representatives are e.g. enalapril and ramipril. These compounds are prepared by means of hydrogenolytic conversion of a primary amine with a ketone with the addition of an organic or inorganic base; among the inorganic bases, basic aluminum oxide is preferred. The use of chiral organic bases favors the production of a diastereomer.