Abstract:
The invention relates to a new substance, namely the hydrochloride of .beta.-phenyl- .gamma.-aminobutyric acid of the following formula: ##EQU1## and to the process for its production which comprises condensing malonic ester with .beta.-nitrostyrene resulting in the separation of an ester of .gamma.-carbomethoxy-.beta.-phenyl-.gamma.-nitrobutyric acid at a temperature ranging from 0.degree. to 14.degree.C, reducing the ester thus obtained with hydrogen in the presence of the Raney nickel under a pressure of 6 to 30 atm, treating 3-carbomethoxy-4-phenyl-2-pyrrolidone, as formed by the reduction, with hydrochloric acid, and separating the desired product.