PRODUCTION OF LACTIC ACID ESTER

摘要

PURPOSE: To produce a lactic acid ester under mild condition on an industrial scale at a low cost by reacting propylene glycol known as a general-purpose industrial chemical with an alcohol in the presence of a ruthenium complex compound and a hydrogen acceptor. CONSTITUTION: A lactic acid ester is produced by reacting propylene glycol with an alcohol in the presence of a ruthenium complex compound as a catalyst and a hydrogen acceptor. The ruthenium complex compound is a compound having a substituted cyclopentadienone compound as a ligand, e.g. (PR4 C4 CO)Ru(CO)3 . The presence of the hydrogen acceptor proceeds the catalyst cycle in high efficiency. Preferable hydrogen acceptors are pyruvic acid esters and hydroxyacetone. Lactic acid esters are useful as an intermediate for various organic compounds including pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals and as a cleaning solvent for the manufacture of semiconductors.