Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the recovery of betaines from electrodialysis (ED) waste streams, whereby said waste streams are treated with a pressure driven membrane process.

Abstract: The invention relaters to a process for the production of an (S)- or (R)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate, comprising reacting a 4-haloacetoacetate with hydrogen in the presence of a solvent, the solvent being a solvent mixture, which comprises a first solvent and a second solvent, wherein the first solvent is an aliphatic alcohol, preferably methanol, ethanol or propanol, and the second solvent is aprotic and comprises at least one oxygen atom; and a catalyst of the formula [RuXYZ]X, wherein X is halogen, preferably Cl or Br, or OAc, acetoacetate, allyl or ClO4, Y is a bidentate organic ligand having two phosphine groups, and Z is an arene, preferably cymene, benzene, xylene or toluene, or a polyene, preferably a diene, or an alkene.

Abstract: Betaines of formula R3N+-Q-COO? (I), wherein R is C1-4 alkyl and Q is C1-4 alkanediyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy, are prepared in one step by adding an ?-halocarboxylate of formula X-Q-COOR? (II), wherein Q is as defined above, R? is Cl1-4 alkyl and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine, to an aqueous solution containing a tertiary amine of formula R3N (III), Wherein R is as defined above and a base selected from alkali hydroxides and alkaline earth hydroxides. The process is particularly suited to the production of L-carnitine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the recovery of betaines from electrodialysis (ED) waste streams, whereby said waste streams are treated with a pressure driven membrane process.

Abstract: The invention relaters to a process for the production of an (S)- or (R)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate, comprising reacting a 4-haloacetoacetate with hydrogen in the presence of a solvent, the solvent being a solvent mixture, which comprises a first solvent and a second solvent, wherein the first solvent is an aliphatic alcohol, preferably methanol, ethanol or propanol, and the second solvent is aprotic and comprises at least one oxygen atom; and a catalyst of the formula [RuXYZ]X, wherein X is halogen, preferably Cl or Br, or OAc, acetoacetate, allyl or ClO4, Y is a bidentate organic ligand having two phosphine groups, and Z is an arene, preferably cymene, benzene, xylene or toluene, or a polyene, preferably a diene, or an alkene.

Abstract: Betaines of formula R3N+-Q-COO? (I), wherein R is C1-4 alkyl and Q is C1-4 alkanediyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy, are prepared in one step by adding an ?-halocarboxylate of formula X-Q-COOR? (II), wherein Q is as defined above, R? is C11-4 alkyl and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine, to an aqueous solution containing a tertiary amine of formula R3N (III), Wherein R is as defined above and a base selected from alkali hydroxides and alkaline earth hydroxides. The process is particularly suited to the production of L-carnitine.