METHOD OF MAKING (S)-3-(AMINOMETHYL)-5-METHYLHEXANOIC ACID

A method of making (U)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid that comprises condensing isovaleraldehyde with (II) to form primarily (III); reacting the (III) with a cyanide source to form (IV); decarboxylating the (IV) to form (V); hydrolyzing the (V) with an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to form an alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt; and hydrogenating the alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt to form (U)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid, wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, aryl, benzyl, or C3-C6 cycloalkyl. The present invention also provides a method of making (U)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid that comprises condensing isovaleraldehyde with (II) to form primarily (III); reacting the (III) with a cyanide source to form (IV); decarboxylating the (IV) to form an alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt; and hydrogenating the alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt to form (U)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid. El compuesto que tiene la formula: 1 donde R1 y R2 son lo mismo o diferentes y son hidrogeno, C1-C6 alquilo, aril, benzil, o C3-C6 cicloalquilo.