Process for preparing optically active alcohol.

摘要

A beta -keto acid derivative (1 mol) of formula (II): <CHEM> where R<1> is optionally substituted C1-7 alkyl, trifluoromethyl or aryl, R<2> is C1-8 alkoxy, SR<5> where R<5> is C1-8 alkyl or phenyl or -NR<6>R<7> where R<6> and R<7> are H, C1-8 alkyl or benzyl, and R<3> is H, halogen, C1-8 alkyl or alkoxycarbonyl of R<1>+R<3> form a methylene chain, is dissolved in a solvent and there is added 100-1/50,000 mol of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine derivative as catalyst, e.g. of formula RuxHyClz(R<8>-BINAP)2(S)p (III) or [RuHl(R<8>-BINAP)v]Yw (V) wherein BINAP is a specified tertiary phosphine group. The derivative is reacted with hydrogen at a pressure of 5-100 kg/cm2 for 1-48 hours and there is recovered as product an optically active alcohol of the formula (I) wherein the =C=O group has become CH-OH.