OPTICALLY ACTIVE ALCOHOL AND PRODUCTION THEREOF

摘要

NEW MATERIAL:The optically active alcohol of formula I (l is 2-12; R is 1-12C alkyl, tetrahydropyranyl or benzyl). EXAMPLE:Optically active 4-(tetrahydro-2-pyranoxy)-1-pentanol. USE:A synthetic intermediate for (enantiotropic) liquid crystal exhibiting chiral smectic phase having ferroelectricity in temperature increase as well as temperature decrease. A liquid crystal compound of formula II (R' is 1-12C alkyl; m and n are 1 or 2; -Ar- is p-phenylene) can be produced from the titled compound. PREPARATION:The compound of formula I can be produced by decarbonating an optically active malonic acid derivative of formula III in a solvent under heating and reducing the resultant optically active etherified carboxylic acid of formula IV (R' is H or alkyl) or its ester in a solvent with a metal hydride such as lithium aluminum hydride to 0-70 deg.C for 0-1 week.