Patent · US Expired

Process for preparing optically active 3-hydroxybutanoic acid

US4981992A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
3References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 14, 1989
Grant dateJan 1, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P20/55
  • WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process for preparing an optically active 3-hydroxybutanoic acid represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 represents a protective group of carboxylic acid, and PA1 R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom; a lower alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom; a lower alkoxy group; a phenyl group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy group; or a benzyloxy group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy group, is disclosed, comprising asymmetrically hydrogenating a 3-oxobutanoic acid ester represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as defined above, in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst. The compound of formula (I) which is useful for synthesizing a 4-acetoxyazetidin-2-one derivative, a useful intermediate for obtaining penem antibiotics, can be prepared economically.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.