Abstract: Cyanoacetamides of the formula: and corresponding salts thereof; N?-(cyanoacetyl)-L-histidines, of the formula: and salts, tautomers and esters thereof; and N?-(cyanoacetyl)-3-methyl-L-histidines of the formula: and salts and esters thereof.

Abstract: Cyanoacetamides of the formula: and corresponding salts thereof; N?-(cyanoacetyl)-L-histidines, of the formula: and salts, tautomers and esters thereof; and N?-(cyanoacetyl)-3-methyl-L-histidines of the formula: and salts and esters thereof.

Abstract: ?-alaninamides of the general formula Wherein R1 is hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with hyroxy, amino, carboxy, carbamoyl, methylmercapto, guanidino, unsubstituted or substituted aryl or heteroaryl, and R2 is hydrogen, or R1 and R2 together form a group of the formula —(CH2)n— where n is 3 or 4, and R3 is hydrogen, a negative charge compensated by an equivalent of an inorganic or organic cation or is C1-6 alkyl, are prepared, without using an amino-protective group, by reacting the corresponding ?-amino acid or the corresponding ?-amino acid ester with a cyanoacetic ester to give a cyanoacetamide and by subsequent catalytic hydrogenation. The method is particularly suitable for preparing carnosine (?-alanyl-L-histidine, R1=imidazol-4-yl-methyl, R2=R3=H), a naturally occurring dipeptide which used as a dietary supplement with antioxidative action.

Abstract: The invention relates to &bgr;-alaninamides of general formula (I), wherein: R1 represents hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl which is optionally substituted by hydroxy, amino, carboxy, carbamoyl, methylmercapto, guanidino, or by optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl; R2 represents hydrogen or R1 and R2, together, form a group of formula —(CH2)n, wherein n represents 3 or 4, and; R3 represents hydrogen, a negative charge compensated for by an equivalent of an inorganic or organic cation or represents C1-C6 alkyl. The &bgr;-alaninamides are produced without using an amino protective group by reacting the corresponding &agr;-amino acid or the corresponding &agr;-amino acid ester with a cyanoacetic acid to form a cyanoacetic acid amide and by a subsequent catalytic hydrogenation. The method is particularly suited for producing carnosine (&bgr;alanyl-L-histidine, R1=imidazol-4-yl-methyl, R2═R3═H), a naturally occurring dipeptide, which is used as a food additive having an antioxidant effect.