PROCESS FOR PRODUCING CARNITINAMIDE

摘要

[PROBLEMS] To provide a process in which in the production of carnitinamide as a production intermediate for L-carnitine, carnitine nitrile can be hydrated into carnitinamide with high selectivity so that high-purity carnitinamide excelling as a substrate for optical resolution or microbial stereoselective hydrolysis can be produced in high yield. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] There is provided a process comprising hydrating carnitine nitrile into carnitinamide with the use of a catalyst containing manganese oxide to thereby realize production of carnitinamide containing substantially none of carnitine by-products in high yield. As a result, carnitinamide of extremely high purity can be produced through simple and easy crystallization operation.