Dinitrile intermediates for the synthesis of omapatrilat and methods for producing same

Omapatrilat (I) is a potent inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) both in vitro and in vivo and is currently undergoing large scale clinical trials as an anti-hypertensive. Omapatrilat may be synthesized using the S-stereoisomer of a racemic mixture. The racemic mixture may be prepared from a hydantoin (III). The hydantoin may be prepared from a novel dinitrile compound (IV):The dinitrile may be produced by reacting a monoacetal with a non-carbonate ammonium salt and an alkali cyanide.