An Efficient Synthesis of Racemic and Optically Active Telluromethionine

Abstract

A direct and efficient route for the construction of racemic and optically active L-telluromethionine (L-Te-Met) starting from the readily available hydrochloride salt of α-amino-γ-butyrolactone and lithium methyltellurolate is described. The reaction has been successfully scaled up to afford gram quantities of L-Te-Met in 75–80% yield.