ChemInform Abstract: Intermediates in the Epimerization of Ritodrine by Acid.

Abstract

330ChemInform Abstract In contrast to l-epinephrine which undergoes racemization in aqueous HCl, ritodrine hydrochloride (I) is converted to its corresponding enantiomer (IV). The intermediate (II), obtained after evaporating an aqueous HCl solution of (I), is rapidly converted to the trans compound (III) on treatment with water. (III) is more stable in water and in 0.1 N AcOH or H3BO3 but is rapidly converted to (IV) in the presence of stronger acid or base.