3-(3-Methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methylbutyl aldehyde is produced from 3-(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methylbutyric acid via a reaction for converting a carboxyl group into a formyl group. From such aldehyde derivative, via a reductive alkylation reaction with aspartame N-[N-[3-(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methylbutyl]-L-α-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester useful as a sweetener having a high potency of sweetness can be derived easily and efficiently on an industrial production. Therefore, the derivative is extremely excellent as an intermediate for the production thereof.
The above butyric acid derivative is a novel compound, which can be easily produced by subjecting 3-(3-methyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methylbutyric acid obtained in the reaction of 2-methoxytoluene with 3-methylcrotonic acid, to a reaction for converting a methoxy group into a hydroxyl group.
The present invention further provides several novel compounds useful as a production intermediate, such as the above aldehyde derivative and the like.
3-(3-甲基-
4-羟基苯基)-
3-甲基丁醛是由 3-(3-甲基-
4-羟基苯基)-3-甲基
丁酸通过将羧基转化为甲酰基的反应生成的。从这种醛衍
生物中,通过与
阿斯巴甜的还原烷基化反应,可以方便、高效地工业化生产出 N-[N-[3-(3-甲基-
4-羟基苯基)-3-甲基丁基]-L-α-天冬
氨酰]-
L-苯丙氨酸 1-甲酯,这种甲酯可用作
甜味剂,具有很高的甜味效力。因此,该衍
生物作为其生产的中间体是非常出色的。
上述
丁酸衍
生物是一种新型化合物,它可以通过将 2-甲氧基
甲苯与 3-甲基
巴豆酸反应得到的 3-(3-甲基-4-
甲氧基苯基)-3-甲基
丁酸与甲氧基基团转化为羟基基团的反应轻松制得。
本发明进一步提供了几种可用作生产中间体的新型化合物,如上述醛衍
生物等。