Method for the synthesis of omega-amino-alkanoic acids

1) A process for synthesizing amino acids or amino esters of general formula NH2—(CH2)n—COOR in which n represents an integer between 5 and 14, and R is either H or an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, from monounsaturated long-chain natural fatty acids or esters containing at least 10 adjacent carbon atoms per molecule, which consists first in converting, in an optional first step, said long-chain natural fatty acid or ester, via a physical treatment, via homometathesis or via a microbiological fermentation process, into a monounsaturated fatty acid or ester of general formula R1—(CH2)m—CH═CH—(CH2)p—COOR in which R1 represents H, CH3 or a radical COOR, m is an integer between 0 and 14 and p is an integer between 2 and 11, and then in subjecting said monounsaturated fatty acid or ester of general formula R1—(CH3)m—CH═CH—(CH2)p—COOR to a catalytic cross-metathesis reaction with a compound of formula R2—CH═CH—R3 in which R2 is either H or CN and R3 is H, CN or CH2NH2, with the proviso that if R2 is CN, R3 can be only CN, and then finally in converting into an ω-amino acid the resulting product corresponding to the general formula R3—CH═CH—(CH2)p—COOR, either by hydrogenation of the terminal triple bond, or by amination of the terminal double bond.