摘要 |
Disclosed is a method for producing an optically active 2-hydroxy ester, comprising selectively esterifying one enantiomer of a racemic 2-hydroxy ester in a solvent containing a catalyst such as tetramisole or benzotetramisole, and a carboxylic acid anhydride, or a carboxylic acid anhydride and a carboxylic acid. In particular, in the case where the solvent contains a carboxylic acid anhydride, but does not contain a carboxylic acid, as the carboxylic acid anhydride, a carboxylic acid anhydride containing a tertiary or quaternary carbon atom in the a-position is used. On the other hand, in the case where the solvent contains a carboxylic acid anhydride and a carboxylic acid, as the carboxylic acid, a carboxylic acid containing a tertiary or quaternary carbon atom in the ±-position is used. |