Patent ID: 8563752
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: A61P,C07C,C07D

Abstract:
1. A process for the production of L-carnitine, wherein a chiral β-lactone carnitine precursor is obtained by a [2+2] cycloaddition of ketene with an aldehyde X—CH 2 —CHO, wherein X is selected from Cl and Br in the presence of a chiral catalyst, wherein the chiral catalyst is a Lewis acid-Lewis base bifunctional metal catalyst, wherein the Lewis acid is selected from metal atoms, metal ions and metal salts, wherein the metal is selected from lithium, cobalt and aluminum, wherein the Lewis base is a chiral organic ligand comprising chiral amines, chiral phosphines and/or chiral amides, wherein the chiral amine is an alkaloid, a triainine or salen, wherein the chiral phosphine is SEGPHOS (5,5′-Bis(diphnhylphosphino)-4,4′-bi-1,3-benzodioxole), BINAP (2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl) or TUNEPHOS ((R)-1,13-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-7,8-dihydro-6H-dibenzo[f,h][1,5]dioxonin), and wherein the chiral amide is a bissulfonamide.