Method of removing formyl groups from N-formyl-amino acid and N-formyl-peptide esters having free carboxyl groups
AssigneeAjinomoto Co., Inc.
InventorsTadashi Takemoto, Fusayoshi Kakizaki, Yasuo Ariyoshi
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Abstract
The masking N-formyl group of an N-formyl-amino acid ester or an N-formyl-peptide ester having a free carboxyl group is removed without major side reactions when the ester is contacted with a strong acid in a mixture of water and a specific organic solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone or acetonitrile. This method is specifically applicable to the production of L-aspartyl amino acid lower alkyl esters which are known as low calorie sweeteners.
Claims9
A method of removing the formyl group from the nitrogen atom of an N-formyl-amino acid ester or N-formyl-peptide ester having a free carboxyl group which comprises contacting said ester with a strong acid in a mixture of water and a specific organic solvent, said strong acid having a first dissociation constant of not less than 1.0 .times. 10.sup.-1 at 25.degree. C, said specific organic solvent being selected from the group consisting of monohydric alkanols having 3 or 4 carbon atoms, aliphatic ketones having 3 to 5 carbon atoms and acetonitrile, and said water being used in a volume of from 5 to 30% of that of said specific organic solvent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.