| abstract |
Process for the preparation of alkali metal salts of glycine or of racemic α-amino acids of the general formula (I) n R 1 —CH(NH 2 )—COOH (I)n n in which R 1 is selected from hydrogen, CH 3 , C 2 H 5 , CH(CH 3 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) 2 COOH and CH 2 OH, wherein an alkali metal salt of the corresponding α-ketocarboxylic acid or glyoxalic acid is reacted in the presence of at least one heterogeneous catalyst, which comprises at least one transition metal, in the presence of hydrogen with at least one nitrogen compound at temperatures in the range from 50 to 200° C., where the nitrogen compound is selected from primary and secondary amines and ammonia. |