PURPOSE: To obtain the titled compound having physiological activity and labeled with stable isotope, easily, efficiently and selectively at a low cost in large quantities, by using a 13C-cyanogen compound and succinyl chloride available at a relatively low cost as starting substances and treating with ultrasonic wave, etc.

CONSTITUTION: A succinyl chloride compound of formula I (R is CH3 or C2H5; X is OH or Cl) and a 13C-cyanogen compound of formula II (M is K, Na, Ag, Cu, etc.) are refluxed in a solvent such as acetonitrile in argon stream at 100°C for 30min and the produced compound of formula III is mixed with a mixture of acetic acid and acetic anhydride and activated zinc powder and reduced and acetylated by applying ultrasonic wave for 5W10min. The obtained compound of formula IV is hydrolyzed with a mineral acid to quantitatively produce the objective [5-13C]-aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride of formula V.

USE: The compound is expected to be useful as a diagnostic for congenital porphyria which is clinically genetic metabolic disease and for lead poisoning, etc., attracting public attention from the view point of labor hygienicity.