A method of making (.+-.)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid that comprises condensing isovaleraldehyde with ##STR1## to form primarily ##STR2## reacting the ##STR3## with a cyanide source to form ##STR4## decarboxylating the ##STR5## to form ##STR6## hydrolyzing the ##STR7## with an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to form an alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt; and hydrogenating the alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt to form (.+-.)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and are hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, aryl, benzyl, or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl. The present invention also provides a method of making (.+-.)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid that comprises condensing isovaleraldehyde with ##STR8## to form primarily ##STR9## reacting the ##STR10## with a cyanide source to form ##STR11## decarboxylating the ##STR12## to form an alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt; and hydrogenating the alkali or alkaline earth metal carboxylate salt to form (.+-.)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid.