Practical and Efficient Utilisation of (R)-3-chloro-1,2-Propanediol in Synthesis of L-Carnitine

As a by-product originating from Salen Co(III) catalysed hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of (±)-epichlorohydrin in the manufacturing procedure of L-Carnitine, ( R)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol was utilised as a starting chiral material to prepare via key nitrile intermediates and by a final hydrolysis L-Carnitine. The new synthetic approach demonstrated an efficient utilisation of the by-product.