PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF 2-HYDROXY ESTERS

摘要

The invention provides an easy and simple process for the production of 2-hydroxy esters from cyanohydrins, specifically, a process for the production of 2-hydroxy esters represented by the general formula (1) (exclusive of ethyl 2-hydroxy-4 -phenylbutyrate), characterized by introducing an acid into a mixture comprising a cyanohydrin represented by the general formula (2), an alcohol, an organic solvent and water: [Chemical formula 1] R¹-CH(OH)-COOR² (1) R¹-CH(OH)(CN) (2) wherein R¹ is hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group which has 1 to 12 carbon atoms and may contain oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alicyclic hydrocarbon group which has 3 to 12 carbon atoms and may contain oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or aralkyl group which has 3 to 14 carbon atoms and may contain oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen; and R² is alkyl which has 1 to 12 carbon atoms and may contain oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen.