Process for the preparation of hydroxylactones

US6512127B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Degussa AG · DE

Inventors

• Kai Rossen · Hanau, DE
• Stefan Eils · Grundau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 28, 2003
• Expiry date: Aug 24, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07D307/33
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards a process for the preparation of enantiomerically enriched 4-hydroxymethyl-&ggr;-butyrolactone (I). By kinetic racemate cleavage of racemic epoxide of the general formula (II) wherein R represents a (C1-C8)-alkyl radical, a (C8-C16)-aryl radical, with a nucleophile and a Jacobsen catalyst there is obtained enantiomerically enriched (I). Use of the lactone so prepared.