Process for preparing 2-amino-1,3-alkanediol or derivative thereof, process for preparing optically active dihydrosphingosine derivative, and intermediates for optically active dihydrosphingosine derivative

摘要

A process for preparing an optically active dihydrosphingosine derivative is disclosed, comprising reducing a (2R,3R)-2-amino-3-hydroxyalkanoic acid derivative represented by formula (III): wherein R3 represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms; and R4 represents an amino group protecting group, (e.g., (2R,3R)-2-benzylamino-3-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid) with sodium tetrahydroborate in the presence of an acid. The process makes it feasible to produce an optically active dihydrosphingosine at high optical purity and through a simple process that is safe and easy to industrialize.