PURPOSE: To obtain an α-amino acid useful as a food, feed, medicine and synthetic intermediate for agricultural chemicals, medicines, etc., in good yield, by hydrolyzing a reaction mixture of a cyanohydrin with gaseous carbon dioxide, ammonia, etc., in the presence of a compound of Zn, Fe, Co or Ni.
CONSTITUTION: A cyanohydrin expressed by formula I (R1 and R2 are H, aliphatic hydrocarbon or aromatic hydrocarbon) is reacted with gaseous carbon dioxide, ammonia, ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium carbonate to give a reaction mixture, which is then reacted in the presence of a compound of Zn, Fe, Co or Ni at 50W200°C, preferably 100W170°C for 0.5W10hr to afford the aimed substance expressed by formula II. The compound of Zn, Fe, Co or Ni is used in an amount of 0.1W50mol based on the cyanohydrin to carry out the reaction.
EFFECT: The reaction can be carried out under mild conditions with good operability.
NOGUCHI YOSHIAKI
FUJII KENICHI
ITAKURA MITSUO
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