Abstract
DL-Homoserine is an amino acid which is important in the biochemical study on the metabolism of amino acids. Several methods for the synthesis of DL-homoserine have been reported, but they have many disadvantages ; for example, they involve long process of reaction and extremely complicated method of separation of DL-homoserine formed. By the Schmidt reaction, DL-2-amino-4-alkoxybutyric acid and ethyl 2-acetamido-4-alkoxybutyrate were obtained respectively from (2-alkoxyethyl) malonic acid and 2-(2-alkoxyethyl) acetoacetate, and they were hydrolyzed with 48% hydrobromic acid to DL-2-amino-γ-butyrolactone hydrobromide. This was deacidified with ion exchange resin and simultaneously the ring cleavage was effected, giving DL-homoserine in a good yield and without difficulties in isolation and purification.
