Production of creatine or creatine monohydrate

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce creatine or creatine monohydrate used as a nourishing supplementary agent in the sports field, etc., in good yield and purity. SOLUTION: Cyanamide is reacted with sodium or potassium sarcosinate in water or a mixture of water with an organic solvent at 20-50°C and pH7.0-14.0 to afford creatine or creatine monhydrate. Furthermore, the reaction is preferably carried out at 50-100°C and pH9.0-10.0. The pH is preferably regulated by using hydrochloric acid, sarcosine, etc. During the reaction, the molar ratio of the cyanmide to the sodium or potassium sarcosinate is preferably (0.9:1) to (1.25:1). The sodium or potassium sarcosinate is preferably used as a 35-45wt.% aqueous solution and the cyanamide is preferably used as a 50wt.% aqueous solution. A 1-5C aliphatic alcohol is preferably used as the organic solvent. COPYRIGHT: (C)1997,JPO