Process for preparation of optically active allenes

摘要

The present invention provides a process for producing an optically active allene represented by formula (1): wherein R² and R³ are different and each represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C_1-20 alkyl group or an optionally substituted C_6-20 aryl group, and R⁴ represents an acyl group, which comprises reacting an allene derivative represented by formula (2): wherein R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted acyl group and R² and R³ have the same meaning as defined above, with an acylating agent having an acyl group represented by R⁴ when both R¹s are each a hydrogen atom or with water when both R¹s are each an acyl group represented by R⁴, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst. According to this production process, an optically active allene can be produced efficiently and enantioselectively from an allene derivative having a symmetrical structure.