Industrial process for the production of L-carnitine
US6566552B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C67/31
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention describes a process for the industrial production of L-carnitine, comprising the enantioselective reduction of an alkyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutyrate or 4-chloro-3-oxobutyramide. The optically active 3-hydroxy derivative thus obtained is reacted with trimethylamine, obtaining crude L-carnitine, which is then finally purified. The catalyst used for the reduction is a complex of ruthenium bound to a penta-atomic bis-heteroaromatic system. The reduction reaction, performed in controlled conditions of hydrogen pressure, substrate concentration, temperature, and substrate: catalyst molar ratio, enables 4-chloro-3-hydoxybutyrate or 4-chloro-hydroxybutyamide to be obtained in a high yield. The process described, which leads to L-carnitine being obtained, is easily applicable on an industrial scale.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.