NOVEL PROCESS FOR PRODUCING L-EPI-2-INOSOSE AND NOVEL PROCESS FOR PRODUCING EPI-INOSITOL

摘要

Novel methods whereby L-epi-2-inosose and epi-inositol, which are useful as various drugs or synthesis intermediates, can be efficiently produced from less expensive myo-inositol. Namely, a method wherein myo-inositol is treate d with a gram-negative bacterium capable of converting myo-inositol into L-epi -2- inosose to thereby convert the myo-inositol into L-epi-2-inosose. The L-epi- 2- inose thus obtained is further reacted in an aqueous reaction medium with a reducing agent comprising an alkali metal boron hydride or another alkali metal hydride to form epi-inositol and myo-inositol. Next, the epi-inositol is separated and isolated from the reduction reaction mixture comprising epi- inositol and myo-inositol to give epi-inositol.