Aminotransferase catalysis applied to the synthesis of a PAF antagonist

(R)-alpha-Methyl-3-pyridinebutanamine (5) was required as a key intermediate for production of the PAF antagonist [(R)-(E,E)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-1- methyl-4-(3-pyridinyl)butyl-2,4-decadienamide (1). A method meeting the requirements of technical simplicity and economic viability was developed using an aminotransferase ex. B. megaterium to catalyze a kinetic resolution of racemic alpha-methyl-3-pyridinebutanamine (3). 5-(3-Pyridinyl)-2-pentanone (4) produced from the (S)-enantiomer, with co-generation of alanine, is recycled by catalytic reductive amination.