Novel Syntheses of Gabapentin via Addition of Hydrocyanic Acid to Cyclohexylidenemalonate or Cyano(cyclohexylidene)acetate

Several synthetic pathways to the anticonvulsivum gabapentin (1-(aminomethyl) cyclohexaneacetic acid) have been investigated. Advantages and drawbacks of the different routes are discussed, and the most economical and technically most feasible synthesis is pointed out