Method of making (S)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid

The method of claim 10 wherein the (.+-.)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid and (S)-mandelic acid are combined in methanol and isopropanol.

A method of making (.+-.)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid, the method comprising:

• a. condensing isovaleraldehyde with ##STR52## to form primarily ##STR53## b. reacting the ##STR54## with a cyanide source to form ##STR55## c. decarboxylating the ##STR56## to form ##STR57## d. hydrolyzing the ##STR58## with an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to form an alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt;
• and
• e. hydrogenating the alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt to form (.+-.)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and are hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, aryl, benzyl, or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl.

The method of claim 30 wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 of ##STR59## are ethyl.

A method of making (.+-.)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid, the method comprising:

• a. condensing isovaleraldehyde with ##STR61## to form primarily ##STR62## b. reacting the ##STR63## with a cyanide source to form ##STR64## c. decarboxylating the ##STR65## to form an alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt;
• and d. hydrogenating the alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt to form (.+-.)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid.