METHOD OF PRODUCING OPTICALLY ACTIVE TRIMETHYLLACTIC ACID AND ESTERS THEREOF

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new process for enantioselectively producing optically active trimethyllactic acid and ester thereof in high yield without needing any expensive reagent. SOLUTION: This invention relates to a new process for producing optically active trimethyllactic acid and/or ester thereof by catalytic hydrogenation of trimethylpyruvic acid and/or esters thereof in the presence of a noble metal complex catalyst bearing a phosphorus ligand.