Abstract: Process for the production of tetronic acid from 4-haloacetoacetic ester. The 4-haloacetoacetic ester is transformed into the corresponding 4-tertiary-butoxyacetoacetic ester and the latter is converted by cyclizing ether cleavage into tetronic acid. Preferably the cyclizing ether cleavage is carried out thermolytically at a temperature above 100.degree. C. or is carried out by treatment with an acid at a temperature of 0.degree. to 30.degree. C. Tertiary-butoxyacetoacetic acid ethyl ester is a new compound.

Abstract: Process for the simplified preparation of (2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-acetic acid hydrochloride in light-stable form, in high purity and in good yields, by the reaction of thiourea with 4-chloroacetoacetyl chloride.

Abstract: A process for the production of indolyl lactic acid which includes heating an aqueous solution of 2,3-dihydro-2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid to boiling. The aqueous solution is cooled and reacted with phenyl hydrazine or a salt of phenyl hydrazine. The resultant phenylhydrazone is converted by heating with sulfuric acid to indolyl lactic acid.

Abstract: The process for the production of carnitine hydrochloride which involves reacting an ester of .gamma.-halo-acetoacetic acid having the formula: ##STR1## R.sub.1 is a hydrogen, R.sub.2 is a lower alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and X is halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine or bromine, with an alkali alcoholate, which is present in a stoichiometrically excessive amount, at a temperature between 0.degree. and -40.degree. C. The reaction product is reacted with trimethylamine at a temperature between 10.degree. and 50.degree. C., a (3-carbalkoxy-2-oxopropyl)-trimethyl ammonium halide resulting. The (3-carbalkoxy-2-oxopropyl)-trimethyl ammonium halide is hydrogenated, a carnitine ester resulting. Then the carnitine ester is converted by means of aqueous hydrochloride acid into carnitine hydrochloride.

Abstract: The process for the production of carnitine hydrochloride which involves placing an ester of .gamma.-halo-acetoacetic acid having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, R.sub.2 is a lower alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and X is a halogen atom selected from the group consisting of chlorine or bromine, in an aqueous solution of excess trimethyl amine held at a temperature between 0.degree. and 50.degree. C., a reaction resulting between said ester and said amine. The excess trimethyl amine is distilled off. The pH of the solution is adjusted between 4 and 8, (3-carbalkoxy-2-oxopropyl)-trimethyl ammonium halide resulting. The (3-carbalkoxy-2-oxopropyl)-trimethyl ammonium is hydrogenated without isolating said halide from solution, a carnitine ester resulting. The carnitine ester is converted by means of aqueous hydrochloric acid into carnitine hydrochloride.

Abstract: The process for the production of carnitine hydrochloride which includes reacting a .alpha.-haloacetoacetanilide having the formula:XCH.sub.2 COCH.sub.2 CONYC.sub.6 H.sub.5where X is a halogen atom and Y is a hydrogen atom, a phenyl group, a benzyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, with trimethylamine, a .gamma.-trimethylammonium acetoacetanilide halide resulting. The .gamma.-trimethylammonium acetoacetanilide halide, is hydrogenated, a .gamma.-trimethylammonium-.beta.-hydroxybutyric acid halide resulting. The .gamma.-trimethylammonium-.beta.-hydroxybutyric acid halide is converted by means of aqueous hydrochloric acid into the carnitine hydrochloride.