PROCESS FOR L-CARNITINE AND ACETYL L-CARNITINE HYDROCHLORIDE

摘要

L-carnitine and acetyl L-carnitine hydrochloride are provided to cure the depression of the first degenerative disease(Alzheimer's Dementia) type in clinical trials by the pharmacological activity. A process for preparing L-carnitine comprises the following steps of: (i) reacting racemic epichlorohydrin of the chemical formula (1) in the hydrogen cyanide solution controlled to the pH 8-10 to prepare a racemic 4- chloro- 3- hydroxy butyronitrile of the chemical formula (2); (ii) reacting the racemic 4- chloro- 3- hydroxy butyronitrile of the chemical formula (2) in the presence of an alcohol and sulfuric acid catalyst to prepare a racemic 4- chloro- 3- hydroxybutyrate alkylester of the chemical formula (3); (iii) selectively hydrolyzing the racemic 4- chloro- 3- hydroxybutyrate alkylester of the chemical formula (3) in the solution by using enzyme or microorganism to prepare - 4 - chloro- 3 - hydroxybutyrate alkylester of the chemical formula (4); and (iv) preparing L-carnitine of the chemical formula (6) from - 4 - chloro- 3 - hydroxybutyrate alkylester of the chemical formula (4).