| abstract |
Described is a process for preparing (R) - and (S) -carnitine starting from the corresponding enantiomer of the (S)-compound of formula (I) and comprising treating these compounds with a dilute base selected from the group consisting of NaHCO 3 and potassium phthalamide, using water, an organic solvent such as N-methylpyrrolidone or mixtures thereof, as the diluent, and the reaction is carried out at a temperature ranging from 50 ° C to 100 ° C and a pH from 7 to 10. Intermediates for their preparation are also described. |