Comparison of Two Alternative Routes to an Enantiomerically Pure β‐Amino Acid

Abstract Enantiomerically pure β‐amino acids are key building blocks for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. Special consideration will be given to the production of (S) ‐3‐aminobutanoic acid. Mass balancing is encouraged and highlighted to support the decision‐making process in early stages of synthesis design when alternative routes are available. Though the overall yield of a chemical approach is twice as good as a chemoenzymatic route, the latter is more convincing regarding raw material consumption and costs as well as health issues. The energy flow analysis in early process development could not yet be carried out but principles concerning the modeling of energy demand were briefly exemplified by a comparative study of two processes with respect to decanoic acid methyl ester.