The present paper will describe the synthesis of new a-amino acids (2-amino-3, 6- dimethylheptanoic acid (Vile) and 2-amino-3-isobutyl-5-methylhexanoic acid (Vile)) through a-keto acids. The a-keto acids were prepared by a method virtually identical with that previously reported by two of the present authors. 1'0 R
