PROCESS FOR PREPARING OPTICALLY ACTIVE SECONDARY ALCOHOLS HAVING NITROGENOUS OR OXYGENIC FUNCTIONAL GROUPS

摘要

A process for preparing optically active secondary alcohols of the general formula (3), [wherein R<1> is linear lower alkyl, an aromatic ring group, or the like; A is CH2NR<2>R<3> or the like; n is an integer of 0 to 2; and * represents an asymmetric carbon atom] by asymmetrically hydrogenating a ketone compound of the general formula (1) having a nitrogenous or oxygenic functional group at any of the a-, beta - and gamma -positions, with selectivity among functional groups by the use of a ruthenium/optically active bidentate phosphine/diamine complex as the catalyst in the presence of hydrogen alone or together with a base. The optically active secondary alcohols obtained by the process are useful as drugs and intermediates for the preparation of drugs.