PROCESS FOR PRODUCING OPTICALLY ACTIVE IMIDAZOLE COMPOUNDS, INTERMEDIATES FOR SYNTHESIZING THE SAME, AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

摘要

A process for producing optically active 4-[ alpha -hydroxy-5-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylbenzyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof which comprises optically resolving compounds represented by general formula (I) by fractional crystallization to give the optically active isomer thereof and then hydrolyzing the isomer, wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification. This process can provide a resolution method useful for industrially mass-producing the optically active isomer of 4-[ alpha -hydroxy-5-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylbenzyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid which is useful as a thromboxane synthesis inhibitor and a preventive/remedy for diabetic complications.