Method For Producing Beta-Fluoroalcohol

摘要

A production method of a beta-fluoroalcohol includes performing a reaction of an alpha-fluoroester with hydrogen gas (H2) in the presence of a specific ruthenium complex (i.e. a ruthenium complex of the general formula [2], preferably a ruthenium complex of the general formula [4]). This production method can employ a suitable hydrogen pressure of 1 MPa or less by the use of such a specific ruthenium complex and does not require a high-pressure gas production facility when put in industrial practice. In addition, this production method can remarkably reduce the amount of catalyst used therein (to e.g. a substrate/catalyst ratio of 20,000) in comparison to the substrate/catalyst ratio conventional reduction of alpha-fluoroalcohol. It is possible by these reduction in hydrogen pressure and catalyst amount to largely reduce the production cost of the beta-fluoroalcohol.