Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of lysine ?-phenylethylamide by diastereoselective hydrogenation

Abstract

The catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of R-lysine S-α-phenylethylamide has been carried out by the diastereoselective hydrogenation of 5-cyano-2-hydroxyiminovaleric acid S-α-phenylethylamide over a skeletal nickel catalyst in a solvent containing α-phenylethylamine, at raised pressures. The excess of the RS-diastereoisomer was 6–12%.