Process for racemising an enantiomer-enriched schiff base of an amino acid amide

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for racemising an enantiomer-enriched Schiff base of a primary amino acid amide with a strong base that is chemically reactive towards water. The reaction is conducted in an organic solvent. Preferably a metal alkoxide, a metal alkyl, a metal amide, or a metal hydride, in particular a metal alkoxide is applied as the strong base. As the Schiff base preferably N-benzylidene primary amino acid amide is used, with the primary amino acid amide preferably being derived from an aliphatic primary amino acid amide, for example tertiary-leucine amide. As organic solvent use is preferably made of an aromatic hydrocarbon, a cyclic, aliphatic hydrocarbon or a ether, in particular an aromatic hydrocarbon is applied. The invention may also be applied for the racemisation of an enantiomer-enriched primary amino acid amide.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.