Studies on Amino Acids. IX

On the Synthesis of α-Keto Acid Analogue of Methionine

Abstract

The synthetic procedures for the preparation of α-keto acid analogue of methionine, α-keto-γ-methylmercaptobutyric acid, were investigated. As a result, the procedure consisting of the ester condensation between methyl β-methylmercaptopropionate and methyl oxalate, and subsequent hydrolysis and decarboxylation was found to be a satisfactory route.