Dsm N.v.

Simon P Van Nispen

Anna M Castelijns

Johanna M Hogeweg

Process for the preparation of 3-phenylpropanal in which cinnamaldehyde is hydrogenated with the aid of a Pd-containing catalyst in the presence of a small amount of water. A high yield and a high selectivity are obtained in a commercially attractive process. The reaction mixture obtained can without intermediate further processing be subjected to an oxidation in which the cinnamaldehyde is oxidized to 3-phenylpropionic acid with a high degree of conversion and a high selectivity. The combination of the two process steps constitutes a simple, commercially attractive process for the preparation of 3-phenylpropionic acid using cinnamaldehyde as a starting material. The resulting 3-phenyl-propionic acid product may serve as an intermediate reagent in the synthesis of anti-viral pharmaceuticals, particularly HIV protease inhibitors.

Process for the preparation of 3-phenylpropanal

Process for the preparation of 3-phenylpropionic acid in which 3-phenylpropanal is subjected to an oxidation, at elevated temperature, in particular at a temperature of between 40.degree. and 80.degree. C., using a medium containing molecular oxygen. A high degree of conversion and a high selectivity are obtained. The starting material 3-phenylpropanal can be prepared in a suitable manner through the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde in the presence of a Pd-containing catalyst, after which the reaction mixture obtained can without intermediate further processing be used in the oxidation reaction. The combination of the two process steps constitutes a simple, commercially attractive process for the preparation of 3-phenylpropionic acid using cinnamaldehyde as a starting material. 3-phenylpropionic acid can be used in particular in the preparation of pharmaceuticals such as HIV protease inhibitors.

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Beek, Netherlands

Simon P Van Nispen