PROCESS FOR PRODUCING 1-(LOWER ALKYL)-3-HYDROXYPYRROLIDINE COMPOUND

摘要

A process by which a 1-(lower alkyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine useful as an intermediate for fine chemicals such as medicines and agricultural chemicals is easily produced at low cost with satisfactory selectivity. Either a 1-benzyl-3-hydroxypyrrolidine compound or a 3-hydroxypyrrolidine compound is catalytically reduced with an aldehyde or ketone in the presence of a metal catalyst. Thus, the 1-(lower alkyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine compound is produced.