Abstract The Z-and E-isomers of the α-N-benzoylamino-2-butenoic acid methyl ester, the E/Z mixtures of α-N-benzoylamino-2-butenoic acid, and the Z-form of α-N-acetylamino-2- butenoic acid were hydrogenated enantioselectively. The hydrogenation products are derivatives of α-aminobutyric acid, which can be reduced to aminobutanol, the optically active component of the antituberculosis drug (+)-ethambutol. In situ catalysts consisting of ...
