Racemisation process for use in the manufacture of levobupivacaine and related piperidinecarboxanilide anaesthetic agents

摘要

An optically-enriched piperidine-2-carboxanilide compound, in which the piperidine is optionally N-alkylated, is racemised by heating the compound in an aqueous medium, provided that the medium includes an organic cosolvent if the compound is N-alkylated. This process is particularly valuable, in conjuction with a resolution process, for the manufacture of levobupivacaine.