Synthesis of phosphonic analogues of carnitine and γ-amino-β-hydroxybutyric acid

The involvement of carnitine and γ-amino-β-hydroxybutyric acid in the biology of mammalian cells, the physiology of the human body, and some important aspects of medicinal treatment has induced many research groups to develop their pharmacologically potent analogues. Among them are the very important phosphonic analogues: phosphocarnitine and γ-amino-β-hydroxypropylphosphonic acid. This mini-review describes the various methodologies used for the synthesis of these compounds.