Process for producing optically active alcohol.

摘要

A process for producing an optically active alcohol of the formula <CHEM> wherein R<4> and R<5> are different from one another and each is a C1-6 alkyl group, a C6-17 aryl group, a C7-11 aralkyl group or a 2-substituted-1-triazoleethylene group represented by the general formula (III) <CHEM> (R<6> is a halogen- or halomethyl-substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a cycloalkyl group) comprises bringing each of (A) an optically active amino alcohol represented by the general formula (I) <CHEM> wherein R<1> is an aryl group selected from a phenyl group optionally substituted with halogen, C1-5 alkyl, C1-5 alkoxy, cyano, C7-10 aralkoxy, C6-10 aryloxy or C1-6 alkoxycarbonyl and a naphthyl group optionally substituted with halogen, C1-5 alkyl, cyano, C1-5 alkoxy or C1-5 alkoxycarbonyl, R<2> is a C1-4 alkyl group, R<3> is a hydrogen atom or a C1-4 alkyl group, and the carbon atoms having a mark * are each an asymmetric carbon atom and an acid, or a salt of the optically active amino alcohol (I) and an acid; (B) a metal borohydride; and (C) water; into contact with a prochiral ketone represented by the general formula (II) <CHEM> wherein R<4> and R<5> are as defined above.