Monsanto Company

Billy D Vineyard

Milton J Sabacky

William S Knowles

Gerald L Bachman

Gregory M Lanza

Jacob S Tou

Clifton A Baile

Marvin L Oftedahl

Carol L McLaughlin

Melvin J DeGeeter

Frances C Buonomo

Alleviation of stomach ulcers in swine which are being administered exogenous somatotropin, by administering to the swine a benzimidazole compound selected from heterocyclylalkyl(sulfinyl or thio)benzimidazoles and [benzimidazolyl(sulfinyl or thio)alkyl]anilines.

Alleviating stomach ulcers in swine

A regioselective process for the preparation of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester is disclosed. A controlled aqueous coupling reaction between .beta.-methyl-L-aspartate-N-carboxyanhydride and L-phenylalanine produces the aspartyl methyl ester of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine which is subsequently hydrolyzed and selectively esterified without isolation. The hydrochloride salt of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, which is selectively precipitated from the esterification mixture, can be neutralized to .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester.

Process for the preparation of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl

A composition and method for improving feed utilization or tissue production in animals are disclosed. At least one substituted phenylphosphinic acid derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof is administered as a feed supplement at a daily dosage between about 0.005 and 350 mg/animal. The specific daily dosage depends on the specie, weight of the animal and the desired production trait to be improved.

Composition and method for improving feed utilization or tissue

Catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of the Z geometric isomer of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein at least one of R and R.sup.1 represents hydrogen and the other represents hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl; R.sup.2 represents ##STR2## wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 each independently represent hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl, R.sup.6 represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl or an alkali metal; and R.sup.3 represents ##STR3## wherein R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 each independently represent lower alkyl or aryl; provided that, when R.sup.3 is ##STR4## R.sup.2 is --CN, in the presence of a homogeneous, coordination complex catalyst comprising rhodium, iridium or ruthenium in combination with an optically active bis phosphine ligand provides an outstanding level of optical purity.

Asymmetric catalysis

New optically active bis phosphine compounds which are usful in optically active catalysts. Such catalysts are particularly useful in catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation.

Catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms or substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and R.sup.3 represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms or substituted or unsubstituted aryl, provided that, if only one of R and R.sup.1 is hydrogen the Z geometric isomer is hydrogenated, in the presence of a homogeneous, coordination complex catalyst comprising rhodium, iridium or ruthenium in combination with an optically active bis phosphine ligand provides an excellent level of optical purity.

A process for the preparation of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester wherein .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine is contacted with a reaction medium comprising water, methanol and a hydrogen halide to form a solid hydrogen halide salt of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester which can be separated and converted to .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester.

New optically active bis phosphine compounds which are useful in optically active catalysts. Such catalysts are particularly useful in catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation.

A process for the preparation of 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine (L-DOPA) wherein .alpha.-acetamido-4-hydroxy-3-alkoxy-cinnamic acid acetate is subjected to catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation to yield an optically active mixture N-acetyl-3-(4-hydroxy-3-alkoxyphenyl)-alanine acetate, with the L enantiomorph being present in a major amount and the D enantiomorph being present in a minor amount, from which N-acetyl-3-(4-hydroxy-3-alkoxyphenyl)-L-alanine acetate can be easily recovered and is then converted to L-DOPA. Novel precursors for L-DOPA are prepared in the process of this invention.

L-Dopa process and intermediates

A process for the preparation of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine alkyl esters wherein L-phenylalanine is reacted with N-protected-L-aspartic anhydride, the resulting product is treated to yield .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine which is esterified with an alkanol to yield an .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine alkyl ester which is recovered. Novel precursors for .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine alkyl esters are prepared in the process of this invention.

Growing community of inventors

St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Billy D Vineyard