Amides of DL-8-carboxy-y-aminobutyric acid have been synthesized, starting with itaconic anhydride. This was opened by the appropriate amine to yield 2-methylene-N- alkylsuccinamic acids, to the double bond of which one mole of benzylamine wa8 added. Hydrogenolysis of the resulting benzylamino derivatives gave the required amides of the free amino acid. The structure of the 2-methylene-N-alkylsuccinamic acids is established.
