Preparation of n-protected .alpha.-l-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved process for the preparation of an N-protected .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester from an N-protected L-aspartic anhydride and L-phenylalanine methyl ester, the improvement which comprises employing the L-phenylalanine methyl ester in the form of a mineral acid salt thereof and conducting the reaction either (a) in an organic solvent and in the presence of a salt of an organic carboxylic acid, or (b) in an organic solvent comprising an organic carboxylic acid and in the presence of at least one member of the group consisting of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal inorganic base, an ammonium alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of an organic carboxylic acid and ammonium carbonate. The starting N-protected aspartic anhydride, e.g., N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-aspartic anhydride, can be produced by the reaction of N-protected aspartic acid with phosgene. When the N-protecting group sibenzyloxycarbonyl and the solvent is acetic acid, the desired product can be isolated from the reaction mixture in crystalline form in high purity by adding water thereto.