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Cleansing surfactants

(-)-Carnitine

Also known as L-carnitine, Levocarnitine, Carnitor

CAS 541-15-1Formula C7H15NO3Molar mass 161.20 g/molEC 208-768-0
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Harmful or irritant 244 suppliers listed Drug substance
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(-)-Carnitine chemical structure, C7H15NO3, CAS 541-15-1
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
White, crystalline, hygroscopic powder
Melting point
197 °C
Solubility
Readily soluble in water and hot alcohol. Practically insoluble in acetone, ether and be…
HS code
292390
Category
Cleansing surfactants
Illustrative photo, off-white crystalline powder in an HDPE jar on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is (-)-Carnitine?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

(R)-carnitine is the (R)-enantiomer of carnitine. It has a role as a water-soluble vitamin (role), an antilipemic drug, a nutraceutical, a nootropic agent and a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite. It is a conjugate base of a (R)-carnitinium. It is an enantiomer of a (S)-carnitine.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(3R)-3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylazaniumyl)butanoate
CAS number
541-15-1 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 44985-71-9
EC number
208-768-0
Molecular formula
C7H15NO3
UNII
0G389FZZ9M
MDL number
MFCD00038747
INCI name
CARNITINE
InChIKey
PHIQHXFUZVPYII-ZCFIWIBFSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C7H15NO3/c1-8(2,3)5-6(9)4-7(10)11/h6,9H,4-5H2,1-3H3/t6-/m1/s1
Canonical SMILES
C[N+](C)(C)CC(O)CC(=O)[O-]
Isomeric SMILES
C[N+](C)(C)C[C@@H](CC(=O)[O-])O

Synonyms

  • L-carnitine
  • Levocarnitine
  • Carnitor
  • vitamin BT
  • (-)-L-Carnitine
  • L-(-)-Carnitine
  • Karnitin
  • Levocarnitina
  • Carnitene
  • Metina
  • Carnitine, (-)-
  • Levocarnitinum
  • Carnitolo
  • Carnovis
  • Lefcar
  • (3R)-3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylazaniumyl)butanoate
  • (3R)-3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylammonio)butanoate
  • Carnitor SF
  • Carnicor
  • gamma-Trimethyl-beta-hydroxybutyrobetaine
  • levocarnitine HCl
  • gamma-Trimethyl-ammonium-beta-hydroxybutirate
  • 3-Carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminium hydroxide, inner salt
  • 3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminium
  • L-gamma-trimethyl-beta-hydroxybutyrobetaine
Show all 38 synonyms
  • R-(-)-3-hydroxy-4-trimethylaminobutyrate
  • 1-Propanaminium, 3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt, (R)-
  • gamma-Trimethyl-hydroxybutyrobetaine
  • Cardiogen
  • Oristar lch
  • Miotonal
  • Miocor
  • Levocarnil
  • Nefrocarnit
  • Biocarn
  • L Carnitine
  • Levocarnitine Oral
  • Levocarnitine sf

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
White, crystalline, hygroscopic powderexp.
Melting point
197 °Cexp.
Solubility
Readily soluble in water and hot alcohol. Practically insoluble in acetone, ether and benzeneexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
161.20 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
161.1052 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-1.81calc.
Topological polar surface area
60.36 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
3calc.
Rotatable bonds
4calc.
Heavy atoms
11calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.86calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
1calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H315Causes skin irritation.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary statements (9)
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

(-)-Carnitine suppliers

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All 244 suppliers
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Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

244 suppliers in 33 countries

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(-)-Carnitine price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Used to treat carnitine deficiency.

Used therapeutically for myocardial injury after ischemia and reperfusion by counteracting the toxic effect of high levels of free fatty acids, which occur in ischemia, and by improving carbohydrate metabolism.

Use classes: Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name CARNITINE(antistatic, cleansing, surfactant - foam boosting, hair conditioning)

Roles

  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
  • anti-HIV agent
  • anti-arrhythmia drug
  • anti-asthmatic agent
  • antibacterial agent
  • antidote
  • antilipemic drug
  • antimicrobial agent
  • antineoplastic agent
  • antirheumatic drug
  • antiviral agent
  • cardiovascular drug
  • food component
  • hypoglycemic agent
  • immunomodulator
  • immunosuppressive agent
  • metabolite
  • nootropic agent
  • nutraceutical
  • pharmaceutical
  • physiological role
  • protective agent
  • renoprotective agent
  • water-soluble vitamin (role)

Functional uses

  • Anti-static agent
  • Cleaning agent
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Foamant
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Softener and conditioner
  • Surfactant (surface active agent)
  • Viscosity modifier

Cosmetic functions

  • Antistatic
  • Cleansing
  • Hair conditioning
  • Skin conditioning
  • Surfactant - cleansing
  • Surfactant - foam boosting
  • Viscosity controlling

Pharmacology

Levocarnitine is a Carnitine Analog.

How it is made

Enantioselective synthesis from glycerol

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code (-)-Carnitine is traded under.

HS 2923.90Indicative HS code

Quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides whether or not chemically defined not elsewhere classified…

World exports in 2024
$1.07B
+14.4% vs 2023, imports $1.16B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China36.7%
  2. United States14.2%
  3. Netherlands9.4%
Top importers
  1. South Korea10.7%
  2. Germany10.1%
  3. United States9.9%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for (-)-Carnitine is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about (-)-Carnitine, based on the data on this page

What is (-)-Carnitine?

(R)-carnitine is the (R)-enantiomer of carnitine. It has a role as a water-soluble vitamin (role), an antilipemic drug, a nutraceutical, a nootropic agent and a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite. It is a conjugate base of a (R)-carnitinium. It is an enantiomer of a (S)-carnitine.

What is the CAS number of (-)-Carnitine?

The CAS registry number of (-)-Carnitine is 541-15-1. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 44985-71-9.

What is the molecular formula and weight of (-)-Carnitine?

The molecular formula of (-)-Carnitine is C7H15NO3 and its molar mass is 161.20 g/mol.

What is (-)-Carnitine used for?

Used to treat carnitine deficiency. Used therapeutically for myocardial injury after ischemia and reperfusion by counteracting the toxic effect of high levels of free fatty acids, which occur in ischemia, and by improving carbohydrate metabolism. Use classes: Cosmetics.

Is (-)-Carnitine hazardous?

(-)-Carnitine carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of (-)-Carnitine?

(-)-Carnitine is usually classified under HS code 292390 (Quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides, lecithins and other phosphoaminolipids…). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy (-)-Carnitine?

CompoundList lists 244 suppliers of (-)-Carnitine in China, United States, India, Germany and 29 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy (-)-Carnitine in India?

31 suppliers in India list (-)-Carnitine on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of (-)-Carnitine?

Suppliers quote (-)-Carnitine on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle (-)-Carnitine

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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