OPTICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTITUTED BIPHENYLS AND ITS PRODUCTION

摘要

NEW MATERIAL:A compound expressed by formula I (R is 1-20C alkyl substitutable by halogen; (n) is integer of 1-5; star mark is asymmetric carbon atom). EXAMPLE:(-)-4-hydroxy-4'-(1-methyl-2-propanoyloxy ethyl) biphenyl. USE:Intermediate of ferroelectric liquid crystal material. PREPARATION:Optically active acyl biphenyls expressed by formula II are subjected to Baeyer-Villiger oxidation to convert R<2>CO group to R<2>COO group and subjected to hydrolysis to obtain optically active diols expressed by formula III. Then, said diols are reacted with benzyl halide in the presence of base to obtain optically active alcohols expressed by formula IV. Next, said alcohols are reacted with carboxylic acid expressed by the formula RCOOH or derivative of said alcohols in the presence of a catalyst or a condensing agent to obtain a compound expressed by formula V and said compound is subjected to debenzylation in the presence of a hydrogenating catalyst and H2 to afford the objective compound expressed by formula I. Compounds expressed by formula III to formula V are also novel substances.