Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of preparing gabapentin that includes (a) subjecting cyclohexanediacetic acid monoamide to a Hofmann rearrangement to yield a solution comprising an isocyanate intermediate; (b) hydrolyzing the isocyanate intermediate in the presence of an alkali base to form a gabapentin alkali salt; (c) converting the gabapentin alkali salt to a gabapentin-amine salt in a water-miscible polar solvent; (d) adding a basic or weakly basic ion exchange resin to a solution comprising the gabapentin-amine salt; (e) removing the ion exchange resin from the solution; and (f) concentrating the solution to yield gabapentin.