| abstract |
A novel class of mercapto acyl-carnitines is disclosed, wherein the mercapto acyl radical is the radical of saturated mercapto acids having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. These mercapto acyl-carnitines are prepared, e.g., by first preparing the corresponding halogen acyl-carnitine and then substituting therein, by nucleophylic substitution, the -SH group for the halogen atom. These mercapto acyl-carnitines are useful therapeutic agents, e.g., for the treatment of intoxications and burns and as mucolytic agents. Dithio diacyl carnitines and hydrochloride salts thereof, which are intermediates, are also disclosed. |