This invention provides a method for preparing (S)-2-amino-4-chlorobutyric acid
alkyl ester and its salt, comprising the following steps: (1) reacting a compound of formula I with a base to generate a compound of formula II; (2) reacting a compound of formula II with a chlorinating agent to generate a dichloride; and (3) reacting the dichloride with an
alcohol to generate a compound of formula III. The preparation method of this invention improves the physicochemical properties of the reaction by constructing a
dimer intermediate from the intramolecular
bifunctional group of the compound of formula I, then achieving hydroxyl chlorination with a chlorinating agent, and finally, under the action of an
alcohol, achieving the one-pot preparation of (S)-2-amino-4-chlorobutyric acid
alkyl ester hydrochloride. This method effectively reduces the amount of chlorinating agent and
alcohol used, significantly improves the
atom economy and effective conversion rate of the reaction, has mild
reaction conditions, produces products without significant
racemization, has controllable impurities, and simplifies post-
processing and purification. The by-product waste salt can be recycled, making it suitable for large-scale industrial production.