New and alternate synthesis of lacosamide with chemoenzymatic method

Gurunadham G.* and Madhusudhan

Abstract

Lacosamide ((R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxy propionamide) 5 is a novel antiepileptic drug. Lacosamide was prepared by chemical method and resolution of racemic Lacosamide using new enzymatic method. Herein is reported an expedient four-steps enantio selective synthesis of Lacosamide 5 beginning with methyl 2,3-dibromo propionate 1. A new resolution process catalyzed by Novozyme 435. The products were obtained in very good yields and in a state of high purity. All the newly synthesized compounds (2-5) were characterized by their spectral (IR, 1H NMR, C13 NMR and MS) data.