Abstract
The possible decomposing reactions of carnitine in aqueous solutions are practically those in which either (a) trimethyl amine or (b) crotonobetaine is produced. Aqueous solutions of carnitine chloride, of 1 and 10 w/v % concentration and at various pH (0-11.6) were sealed in ampoules and heated in a boiling water bath or an autoclave at 125℃. The amounts of trimethylamine and crotonobetaine produced wer determined in connection with the time of heating. Both the reactions (a) and (b) followed the first order reaction and their Q_<10℃> (mean temperature 112.5℃) were constant, independently of the pH, and 3.1 and 2.5,respectively. The reaction velocity coefficients K_<100℃> at various pH were as follows : [table]
