4,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acids (spinacines)

New derivatives of the naturally occurring amino acid 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid (spinacine) are reported. These include amide, ester, 5-alkyl and acyl, and regiospecific N im -alkyl and aralkyl derivatives. Synthesis via the Pictet-Spengler reaction of N im -substituted histidines is described. Cyclic hydantoin derivatives of spinacines are included