New synthesis of (RS)-carnitine chloride

A four-step synthesis of (RS)-carnitine chloride was developed using extremely mild reaction conditions and versatile intermediates. Crotyl chloride was converted to tert-butyl 3-butenoate using tert-butyl alcohol and triethylamine in ether. Treatment of tert-butyl 3-butenoate with m-chloroperbenzoic acid in chloroform afforded tert-butyl 3,4-epoxybutyrate. Reaction of this compound with trimethylamine hydrochloride in methanol, followed by mild acid hydrolysis of the tert-butyl ester, afforded (RS)-carnitine chloride.