Synthesis of Ring-Substituted N -Benzyl γ-Phenyl Gaba Derivatives Via Reductive Amination

Abstract

GABA derivatives are important for the development of drugs for disorders of the CNS and PNS. We describe a simple synthesis of N-benzyl γ-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acids, via the reductive amination of the corresponding γ-keto acids with benzylamines using ammonia borane. This procedure provides an efficient and economical method for the synthesis of GABA derivatives.