Amino Acid Esters and Amides for Reductive Amination of Mucochloric Acid: Synthesis of Novel γ‐Lactams, Short Peptides and Antiseizure Agent Levetiracetam (Keppra®)

A simple methodology utilizing mucochloric acid anddifferent α‐ and β‐amino acid esters, amides and shortpeptides for the synthesis of novel γ‐lactam and γ‐lactam‐based short peptides was developed. The synthesis of an antiseizure agent, Levetiracetam (Keppra®) was demonstrated. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)