PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CARNITINE

摘要

PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CARNITINE The process for the production of carnitine hydrochloride which involves reacting an ester of y-halo-acetoacetic acid having the formula: R2 is a lower alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and X is halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine or bromine, with an alkali alcoholate, which is present in a stoichiometrically excessive amount, at a temperature between 0.degree. and -40.degree.C. The reaction product is reacted with trimethylamine at a temperature between 10.degree. and 50.degree.C., a (3-carbalkoxy-2-oxopropyl)-trimethyl ammonium halide resulting. The (3-carbalkoxy-2-oxopropyl)-trimethyl ammonium halide is hydrogenated, a carnitine ester resulting. Then the carnitine ester is converted by means of aqueous hydrochloride acid into carnitine hydrochloride.