Title of Invention

A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING OPTICALLY B- HYDROXY ACID COMPOUND

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing an optically active (3-hydroxy acid compound represented by formula (III) wherein the substituents are as herein described in the specification by asymmetrically hydrogenating a P-keto acid compound represented by formula (1) wherein the substituents are as herein described in the specification in the presence of at least on ruthenium complex having as a ligand an optically active tertiary diphosphine compound represented by formula (II) wherein the substituents are as herein described in the specification.

Full Text

The present invention relates to a process for producing an optically active alcohol. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel process suitable for the practical production of an optically active p-hydroxy acid compound useful as an intermediate for medicine or as a functional material, etc. BACKGROUND ART Conventionally known methods for synthesizing an optically active alcohol compound include 1) a method in which an enzyme such as a baker's yeast is used and 2) a method in which a metal complex is used to asymmetrically hydrogenate a carbonyl compound. In particular, with respect to the latter method for asymmetric hydrogenation, many proposals have been made. Known examples thereof include: (1) a method in which a carbonyl compound having a functional group is asymmetrically hydrogenated in the presence of an optically active ruthenium complex catalyst (R. Noyori, Asymmetric Catalysis in Organic Synthesis, pp.56-82 (1994)); (2) a method in which a 1,3-dicarbonyl compound is asymmetrically hydrogenated with the aid of a ruthenium-diphosphine complex (Tetrahedron Asymmetry, Vol.8, pp.3327-3355 (1997)); (3) a method of asymmetric hydrogenation using a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex (JP-B-6-99367) (the term "JP-B" as used herein means an "examined Japanese patent publication"); (4) a method in which the hydrogen transfer reduction reaction of a carbonyl compound is utilized in the presence of an asymmetric complex catalyst comprising ruthenium, rhodium, or iridium (Chem. Rev., Vol,92, pp.1051-1069 (1992))/ (5) a method in which a carbonyl compound is asymmetrically hydrogenated with the aid of a nickel complex modified with tartaric acid (Yu KagaJcu, pp.828-831 (1980), and Y. Izumi, Advances in Catalysis, Vol.32, p.215 (1983)); (6) a method in which the asymmetric hydrosilylation reaction of a carbonyl compound is utilized (J.D. Morrison, Asyzmnetric Synthesis, Vol.5, Chap.4 (1985), and J. Organomet. Chem., Vol.346, pp.413-424 (1988))/ (7) a method in which a carbonyl compound is reduced with a borane in the presence of an asymmetric ligand {J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. I, pp.2039-2044 (1985), and J. Am. Chem. Soc, Vol.109, pp.5551-5553 (1987))/ and (8) a method in which an acetophenone compound is asymmetrically hydrogenated in the presence of potassium hydroxide, an optically active diamine, and an asymmetric ruthenium complex catalyst (J. Am. Chem. Soc, Vol.117, pp.2675-2676 (1995)). However, the above-described conventional methods for synthesizing an optically active alcohol have the following drawbacks. The synthesis method using an enzyme requires a complicated procedure and is restricted in substrates usable in the reaction. In addition, the alcohol compounds which can be obtained by the method are limited to those having a specific absolute configuration. On the other hand, the synthesis methods using a transition metal catalyst for asymmetric hydrogenation have problems that the rate of reaction is low and the optical purity of the optically active alcohol compound obtained by the asymmetric hydrogenation of a p-keto ester compound is insufficient, although various transition metal complex catalysts have been reported. Especially in the fields of medicines and functional materials, it is important to obtain an optically active alcohol compound having a specific absolute configuration and a high optical purity and it has hence been necessary to overcome the above-described problems of the conventional methods. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a novel process in which an optically active alcohol compound having a desired absolute configuration and a high optical purity can be obtained through the asymmetric hydrogenation of a p-keto ester compound. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Under these circumstances, the present inventors made intensive investigations. As a result, it has been found that when a p-keto ester compound is asymmetrically hydrogenated with the aid of a ruthenium metal complex having as a ligand an optically active [4,4'-bis-1,3-benzodioxol]-5,5'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine) (hereinafter also referred to as "SEGPHOS" simply), then the corresponding optically active alcohol having a high optical purity is obtained. As a result of further extensive studies by the present inventors, the invention has finally been completed. Accordingly the present invention provides a process for producing an optically active p-hydroxy acid compound represented by the following general formula (III): wherein R' represents a C1-C15 alkyl group which may have one or more substituents selected form halogen atoms, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, amino groups protected by a protective group, amino groups protected by a mineral acid or organic acid, amino groups substituted with one or more C1-C4 lower alkyl groups, a benzyloxy group, C1-C4 lower alkoxy groups, C1-C4 lower alkoxycarbonyl groups, and aryl groups or an aryl group; and R^ represents a Ci-Cg lower alkyl group, or a benzyl group which may have one or more substituents which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating a p-keto ester compound represented by the following general formula (I) : wherein R1 and R2 are the same as defined above in the presence of 1/100 to 1/100,000 mol per mol of the p-keto ester compound (1) of atleast one ruthenium complex such as herein described comprising as a ligand an optically active tertiary diphosphine compound represented by the following general formula (II): wherein R3 and R4 each independently represent a C1-Cs lower alkyl groups and C1-C5 lower alkoxy groups, at a temperature ranging from 20 to 100°C and at a hydrogen pressure of from 0.1 to lOMPa for a period of 1 to 48 hours. The invention further provides a process for producing the optically active alcohol which comprises conducting the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction in the presence of a specific ruthenium complex. The invention furthermore provides a process for producing the optically active alcohol which comprises conducting the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction in the presence of a specific acid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention will be explained below in detail. Preferred examples of R1 in the p-keto ester compound (I) for use as a starting material in producing the optically active alcohol by the process of the invention include C1-C15 alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, and tridecyl; C1-C15 alkyl groups having one or more substituents (examples of the svibstituents include halogen atoms, hydroxyl, amino, amino groups protected by a protective group (e.g., acetyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, or t-butoxycarbonyl), amino groups protected by a mineral acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, bromic acid, phosphoric acid, or hydriodic acid) or by an organic acid (e.g., p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, or acetic acid), amino groups substituted with one or more C1-C4 lower alkyl groups, Ci-C4 lower alkoxy groups such as benzyloxy, methoxy, ethoxy, and t-butoxy, C1-C4 lower alkoxycarbonyl groups such as methoxycarbonyl and ethoxycarbonyl, and aryl groups such as phenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, p-tolyl, and 2-naphthyl), and aryl groups such as phenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, p-tolyl, and 2-naphthyl. Preferred examples of R^ in the p-keto ester compound (I) include alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and octyl and a benzyl group which may have one or more siibstituents. Preferred examples of the siibstituents include methyl, ethyl, and methoxy. Specific examples of the p-keto ester compound (I) include methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, n-propyl acetoacetate, isopropyl acetoacetate, n-butyl acetoacetate, t-butyl acetoacetate, n-pentyl acetoacetate, n-hexyl acetoacetate, n-octyl acetoacetate, benzyl acetoacetate, methyl 4-chloroacetoacetate, ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate, methyl 3-oxopentanoate, methyl 3-oxohexanoate, methyl 3- oxoheptanoate, methyl 6-methyl-3-oxoheptanoate, methyl 3-oxooctanoate, methyl 3-oxononanoate, methyl 3-oxodecanoate, methyl 3-oxoundecanoat6, methyl 3-oxododecanoate, methyl 3-oxotridecanoate, methyl 3-oxotetradecanoate, methyl 3-oxopentadecanoate, methyl 3-oxohexadecanoate, methyl 3-oxoheptadecanoate, methyl 3-oxooctadecanoate, ethyl 3-oxopentanoate, ethyl 3-oxohexanoate, ethyl 3-oxoheptanoate, ethyl 3-oxooctanoate, ethyl 3-oxononanoate, ethyl 3-oxodecanoate, ethyl 3-oxo'undecanoate, ethyl 3-oxododecanoate, ethyl 3-oxotridecanoate, ethyl 3-oxotetradecanoate, ethyl 3-oxopentadecanoate, ethyl 3-oxohexadecanoate, ethyl 3-oxoheptadecanoate, ethyl 3-oxooctadecanoate, methyl benzoylacetate, ethyl benzoylacetate, methyl 4-phenyl-3-oxobutanoate, methyl 4-benzyloxyacetoacetate, methyl 4-methoxyacetoacetate, dimethyl 3-oxooctanedioate, diethyl 3-oxooctanedioate, methyl 4-dimethylamino-3-oxobutanoate, ethyl 4-dimethylamino-3-oxobutanoate, methyl 4-amino-3-oxobutanoate hydrochloride, methyl 4-amino-3-oxobutanoate p-toluenesulfonate, methyl 4-amino-3-oxobutanoate methanesulfonate, 3-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2- oxopropyltrimethy1ammonium chloride, 3-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-oxopropyltrimethylammonitim chloride, and methyl 4-benzyloxycarbonylcuaino-3-oxobutanoate. The optically active tertiary diphosphine compound to be used in the invention is represented by the following general formula (II): (wherein R^ and R* each independently represent a cycloalkyl group, an unsiibstituted or substituted phenyl group, or a five-membered heteroaromatic ring residue). Preferred examples of the cycloalkyl groups represented by R^ and R* include cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl. Preferred examples of the five-membered heteroaromatic ring residues represented by R^ and R^ include 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-benzofuryl, and 3-benzofuryl. Examples of the substituents of the substituted phenyl groups include C1-C5 lower alkyl groups, C1-C5 lower alkoxy groups, di(lower alkyl)amino groups, and halogen atoms. The term "lower alkyl" as used herein means alkyl groups having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Preferred of the compounds represented by general formula (II) are compounds represented by formula (X): (wherein R5 and R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group, or a C1-C4 alkoxy group, and R7 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group, or a di (C1-C4 alkyl) amino group) . More preferred are compounds represented by formula (XI) : (wherein R8 and R9 are the same and each represent a hydrogen atom, t-butyl, n-butyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, ethyl, or methyl, and R10 represents a hydrogen atom, t-butoxy, isopropoxy, ethoxy, or methoxy). The optically active tertiairy diphosphine compound described above is known, and can be synthesized, for example, by the method described in JP-A-2000-16997 or JP-A-10-182678 corresponding to U.S. Patent No. 5,872,273 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"). The ruthenium complex to be used in the invention is a complex having the optically active tertiary diphosphine compound as a ligand, and is a known compound. Preferred examples of the complex are the following complexes represented by general formulae (IV) to (IX): ruthenium-optically active tertiary phosphine complexes represented by [RU2X4(L)2] (A) (IV) (wherein X represents a halogen atom, L represents an optically active tertiary phosphine ligand, and A represents a tertiary amine); ruthenium-optically active tertiary diphosphine complexes represented by [RuX(arene)(L)]X (V) (wherein X and L are the same as defined above, and arene represents an optionally substituted benzene ring, preferred examples of which include benzene, toluene, xylene, cumene, p-cymene, ethylbenzene, and anisole); ruthenium-optically active tertiary diphosphine complexes represented by [Ru(G)2(L)] (VI) (wherein L is the same as defined above, and G represents a halogen atom or an acetoxy group); ruthenium-optically active tertiary diphosphine complexes represented by [Ru(L)](J)2 (VII) (wherein L is the same as defined above, and J represents BF4, CIO4, PF6, or BPh4 (wherein Ph represents a phenyl group)); ruthenium-optically active tertiary diphosphine complexes represented by [{RuX(L) }2(μ-X)3] [NH2Q2] (VIII) (wherein L and X are the Seune as defined above, and Q represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, or cyclohexyl, a phenyl group which may have one or more substituents, or a benzyl group which may have one or more stibstituents) (preferred examples of substituents of the phenyl group include methyl, ethyl, methoxy, and ethoxy, and examples of the benzyl group which may have one or more substituents include 1-phenethyl); and ruthenium-optically active tertiary diphosphine complexes represented by RuX2(L) (DMF)n (IX) (wherein X and L are the same as defined above, n is an integer of 1 to 3, and DMF represents N,N-dimethylformamide) . Preferred examples of the complexes described above include the following. [RU2CI4 (SEGPHOS) 2] (NEta) ["SEGPHOS" means [4,4'-bis-1,S-benzodioxol]-5,5'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine)] [Ru2Cl4(p-Tol-SEGPHOS)2] (NEta) ["p-Tol-SEGPHOS" means [4,4'-bis-1,3-benzodioxol]-5,5'-diylbis(di-p-tolylphosphine)] [RU2CI4 (DM-SEGPHOS) 2] (NEta) ["DM-SEGPHOS" means [4,4'-bis-l,3-ben2odioxol3-5,5'-diylbis(di-3,5-dimethylphenylphosphine)] [RuCl (CeHg) (SEGPHOS) ] CI [RuBr(C6H6) (SEGPHOS)]Br [Rul (CgHe) (SEGPHOS) ] I [RuCl(p-cymene)(SEGPHOS)]CI [RuBr(p-cymene)(SEGPHOS)]Br [Rul(p-cymene)(SEGPHOS)]I [RuCl (CeHe) (p-Tol-SEGPHOS) ] CI [RuBr(C6H6) (p-Tol-SEGPHOS)]Br [Rul (CfiHe) (p-Tol-SEGPHOS) ] I [RuCl(p-cymene)(p-Tol-SEGPHOS)]CI [RuBr(p-cymene)(p-Tol-SEGPHOS)]Br [Rul(p-cymene)(p-Tol-SEGPHOS)]I [RuCl (CeHg) (DM-SEGPHOS) ] CI [RuBr(C6H6) (DM-SEGPHOS)]Br [Rul (CfiHe) (DM-SEGPHOS) ] I [RuCl(p-cymene)(DM-SEGPHOS)]CI RuCla (p-Tol-SEGPHOS) (DMF) „ RuClzCDM-SEGPHOS) (DMF)n ["DMF" represents N,N-dimethylformamide] The complexes shown above can be prepared, for example, by the method described in JP-A-10-182678 or iJP-A-11-269185. The process of the invention for preparing an optically active alcohol will be explained below. The p-keto ester compound (I) described above, as a starting material, is asjfmmetrically hydrogenated in a solvent in the presence of the ruthenitim complex, whereby an optically active alcohol can be prepared. Preferred examples of the solvent include protic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol. Also preferred is a mixed solvent composed of one or more such protic solvents and one or more of other solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, toluene, benzene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methylene chloride, and the like. It is more preferred that the p-keto ester compound (I) be dissolved in the solvent before being subjected to asymmetric hydrogenation reaction. In order for the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction to proceed satisfactorily, the ruthenivim complex is added to the solvent in an amount of preferably from 1/100 to 1/100,000 mol, more preferably from 1/1,000 to 1/50,000 mol, per mol of the p-keto ester compound. This asymmetric hydrogenation reaction is generally conducted for from 1 to 48 hours with stirring under the conditions of a hydrogen pressure of from 0.1 to 10 MPa, preferably from 1 to 5 MPa, and a temperature of from 0 to 150°C, preferably from 20 to 100°C. In the invention, the selectivity and conversion of the p-keto ester compound as a starting material can be improved by conducting the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction in the presence of an acid. Preferred examples of the acid include mineral acids such as sulfuric acid and organic acids such as methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and benzenesulfonic acid. In this case, such an acid is added in an amount of generally from 0.5 to 10 mole equivalents, preferably from 0.7 to 8 mole equivalents, more preferably from 0.9 to 5 mole equivalents, to the ruthenium complex. After completion of the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction, the hydrogenation product may be purified in an ordinary manner. Usable purification techniques include a method in which the solvent is removed by distillation and the resulting residue is distilled under reduced pressure, a method in which the hydrogenation product is purified by silica gel column chromatography, and a method in which the hydrogenation product is purified by recrystallization. The optically active alcohol (III) obtained by the process of the invention will be explained below. The optically active alcohol (III) corresponds to the p-keto ester compound used as a starting material. This is because the keto group of the p-keto ester compound is reduced to a hydroxyl group to give the optically active alcohol (III). Furthermore, either of the (R) isomer and the (S) isomer of the optically active alcohol can be obtained according to the selection of the ruthenium complex. More specifically, different ruthenium complexes behave in the manners shown by the following scheme 1. (Scheme 1) It has therefore become possible to freely prepare the optically active alcohol having the desired absolute configuration by selecting a ruthenium complex. Examples of the optically active alcohol include methyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, ethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, octyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, benzyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, ethyl 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate, ethyl 6-methyl-3-hydroxyheptanoate, methyl 3-hydroxytetradecanoate, ethyl 4-phenyl-3-hydroxybutanoate, ethyl 3-phenyl-3-hydroxypropionate, and ethyl 4-N-benzyloxycarbonylamino-3-hydroxybutanoate, which all are optically active. According to the invention, it has become possible to produce an optically active alcohol by the practical process. Namely, the invention has made it possible to efficiently produce through a simple operation an optically active alcohol having a high optical purity and a specific absolute configuration. Because of this, optically active alcohols useful as intermediates for medicines or as functional materials, etc. have become easily producible. Furthermore, by conducting the reaction in the presence of a specific acid, selectivity can be greatly improved while keeping the high optical purity almost unchanged. The invention will be explained below in more detail by reference to Examples, but the invention should not be construed as being limited to these Examples in any way. The optically active tertiary diphosphine compound used in the invention was synthesized by the method described in JP-A-2000-16997 or JP-A-10-182678. The ruthenium-optically active tertiary diphosphine complexes used were prepared by the method described in JP-A-10-182678. Among the p-keto ester compounds used in the invention, ethyl 4-benzyloxyacetoacetate was synthesized by the method described in JP-A-6-6522, while methyl benzoylacetate, dimethyl 3-oxooctanedioate, methyl 3-oxooctadecanoate, methyl 3-oxotetradecanoate, methyl 6-methyl-3-oxoheptanoate, and methyl 4-phenyl-3-oxobutanoate were synthesized by the methods described in Yuji Oikawa et al., J. Org. Chem., Vol.43, pp.2087-2088 (1978) and Heinz Thoma et al., Lxebigs Ann. Chem., pp.1237-1248. Furthermore, methyl 4-amino-3-oxobutanoate hydrochloride was synthesized by the method described in JP-A-11-286479. The following analytical instruments or means were used. Determination of Asymmetric Yield High-performance liquid chromatograph HPLC: Waters 2690 (manufactured by Waters Inc.) Detector, Waters 996 (manufactured by Waters Inc.) Gas Chromatograph: HP5890 series (manufactured by Hewlett Packard Co.) Determination of Selectivity Gas Chromatograph: HP5890 series (manufactured by Hewlett Packard Co.) EXAMPLE 1 Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Methyl Benzoylacetate Into a 1-L autoclave was introduced methanol (360 mL) in a nitrogen stream. Then, [ {RuCl ((R)-SEGPHOS) }2 (μ-Cl)3] [Me2NH2] (82 mg: 0.1 mmol) and methyl benzoylacetate (178 g: 1.0 mol) were added. After hydrogen (4.0 MPa) was forced into the autoclave, the reaction mixture was heated to 80°C and stirred for 5.5 hours to carry out asymmetric hydrogenation reaction. After cooling, methanol was removed from the reaction mixture, and the residue was distilled under reduced pressure (94-99°C/133 Pa) to obtain 170.6 g (yield, 95.3%) of methyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate. The asymmetric yield thereof was determined with the HPLC (CHIRALCEL OD-H, 4.6 mm x 250 mm; hexane/isopropyl alcohol = 95/5; flow rate, 1.0 mL/min; detection wavelength, UV-254 nm), and was found to be 97.2%. EXAMPLE 2 Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Methyl 3-Oxooctadecanoate Into a 100-mL autoclave were introduced methyl 3-oxooctadecanoate (2.0 g: 6.4 mmol), methanol (6 mL), methylene chlorine (3 mL), and [{RuCl((R)-SEGPHOS)}2 (μ-Cl)3] [Et2NH2] (5.2 mg: 0.0064 mmol). After hydrogen (3.0 MPa) was forced into the autoclave, the reaction mixture was heated to 50°C and stirred for 15 hours to carry out asymmetric hydrogenation reaction and thereby obtain methyl (R)-3-hydroxyoctadecanoate. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then analyzed with the HPLC (CHIRALCEL OD-H, 4.6 mm x 250 mm; hexane/isopropyl alcohol = 98/2; flow rate, 1.0 mL/min; detection wavelength, UV-210 nm) to determine the asymmetric yield of the optically active compound. As a result, the yield was found to be 99.5%. EXAMPLE 3 Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Methyl 3-Oxotetradecanoate Into a 100-mL autoclave were introduced methyl 3-oxotetradecanoate (2.0 g: 7.8 mmol), methanol (6 mL), and [{RuCl((R)-SEGPHOS) }2(μ-Cl)3] [EtsNHz] (6.6 mg: 0.0078 mmol). After hydrogen (3.0 MPa) was forced into the autoclave, the reaction mixture was heated to 50°C and stirred for 15 hours to conduct asymmetric hydrogenation reaction and thereby obtain methyl (R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoate. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then analyzed with the HPLC (CHIRALCEL OD-H, 4.6 mm x 250 mm; hexane/isopropyl alcohol = 98/2; flow rate, 1.0 mL/min; detection wavelength, UV-210 nm) to determine the asymmetric yield of the optically active compound. As a result, the yield was found to be 97.0%. EXAMPLE 4 Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Methyl 6-Methyl-3-oxoheptanoate Into a 100-mL autoclave were introduced methyl 6-methyl-3-oxoheptanoate (2.0 g: 11.6 mmol), methanol (2 mL), and [{RuCl( (R)-SEGPHOS) }2(μ-01)3] [Me2NH2] (9.5 mg: 0.0116 mmol) . After hydrogen (5.0 MPa) was forced into the autoclave, the reaction mixture was heated to 50°C and stirred for 15 hours to conduct asymmetric hydrogenation reaction and thereby obtain methyl (R)-6-methyl-3-hydroxyheptanoate. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then analyzed with the HPLC (CHIRALCEL OB, 4.6 mm x 250 mm; hexane/isopropyl alcohol = 1999/1; flow rate, 0.7 mL/min; detection wavelength, UV-210 nm) to determine the asymmetric yield of the optically active compound. As a result, the yield was found to be 98.5%. EXAMPLE 5 Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Methyl 4-Phenyl-3-oxobutanoate Into a 100-mL autoclave were introduced methyl 4-phenyl-3-oxobutanoate (2.0 g: 10.4 mmol), methanol (2 mL), and [{RuCK (R)-SEGPHOS) }2(μ-01)3] [MezNHa] (8.5 mg: 0.0104 mmol) . After hydrogen (5.0 MPa) was forced into the autoclave, the reaction mixture was heated to 50°C and stirred for 15 hours to conduct asymmetric hydrogenation reaction and thereby obtain methyl (S)-4-phenyl-3-hydroxybutanoate. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then analyzed with the HPLC (CHIRALCEL OB, 4.6 mm x 250 mm; hexane/isopropyl alcohol = 1999/1; flow rate, 0.7 mL/min; detection wavelength, UV-210 nm) to determine the asymmetric yield of the optically active compound. As a result, the yield was found to be 97.9%. EXAMPLE 6 Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Ethyl 4-Chloroacetoacetate Into a 500-mL autoclave was introduced [{RuCl((R)-SEGPHOS) } 2(μ-01)3] [Me2NH2] (122 mg: 0.149 mmol). After the atmosphere in the autoclave was replaced with nitrogen, distilled ethanol (183 mL) and ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate (60.9 g: 0.37 mol) were added thereto. The autoclave was heated until the temperature of the contents reached 90°C and hydrogen (3.0 MPa) was forced into the autoclave to react the reaction mixture for 2 hours, during which the hydrogen pressure of 3.0 MPa was maintained. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed and the residue was distilled under reduced pressure to obtain ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate (54.6 g: yield, 88.5%). The asymmetric yield thereof was determined by gas chromatography (Chiraldex G-TA, 0.25 mml.D. x 30 m x 0.125 μm; initial temp., 80°C; final temp., 110°C; rate, 1.0 °C/min; injection temp,, 200°C; detector temp., 200°C) , and was found to be 98.5%. EXAMPLE 7 Asymmnetric Hydrogenation of Ethyl 4-Benzyloxyacetoacetate Into a 100-mL autoclave were introduced ethyl 4-benzyloxyacetoacetate (3.0 g: 12.7 mmol), ethanol (3 mL), [{RuCl((R)-SEGPHOS) }2(μ-C1)3] [MeaNHz] (1.5 mg: 0.0018 mmol), and water (0.03 mL) . After the contents were heated to 95°C, hydrogen (3 MPa) was forced into the autoclave. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour to conduct asymmetric hydrogenation reaction and thereby obtain methyl (S)-4-benzyloxy-3-hydroxybutanoate. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then analyzed with the HPLC (Chiralpak AD-RH, 4.6 mm x 250 mm; acetonitrile/water = 35/65; flow rate, 0.5 mL/min; detection wavelength, UV-220 nm) to determine the asymmnetric yield of the optically active compound. As a result, the yield was found to be 99.4%. EXAMPLE 8 Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Methyl 4-Amino-3-oxobutanoate Hydrochloride Into a 100 mL autoclave were introduced methyl 4-amino-3-oxobutanoate hydrochloride (1.7 g: 11 mmol), methanol (5.1 mL), and [ {RuCl ( (R)-SEGPHOS) }2 (μ-Cl) 3] [MesNHs] (9.1 mg: 0.011 mmol) . Hydrogen (3 MPa) was forced into the autoclave, and the reaction mixture was heated to 50°C and stirred for 17 hours to carry out asymmetric hydrogenation reaction and thereby obtain methyl (S)-4-amino-3-hydroxyoctadecanoate hydrochloride. The following operation was carried out in order to determine the asymmetric yield of the product of asymmetric hydrogenation. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature. Thereto were added methanol (3.5 mL) and 28% sodium methylate methanol solution (1.8 g) . This mixture was reacted at 40°C for 5 hours to convert the product of asymmetric hydrogenation into 4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidone. The resultant reaction mixture was analyzed with the HPLC (Chiralpak AD, 4.6 mm x 250 mn; hexane/ethanol/methanol = 95/5/3; flow rate 0.8 mL/min; detection wavelength, UV-215 nm) . As a result, the asymmetric yield of the optically active compound was found to be 91.8%. EXAMPLE 9 Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Dimethyl 3-Oxooctanedioate Into a 1OO-mL autoclave were introduced dimethyl 3-oxooctanedioate (2.2 g: 10.2 mmol), methanol (6.6 mL), and [RU2CI4 ((R) -SEGPHOS) 2] (NEt3) (3 . 7 mg: 0 . 003 mmol) . Hydrogen (3.0 MPa) was forced into the autoclave, and the reaction mixture was heated to 70°C and stirred for 7 hours to carry out asymmetric hydrogenation reaction and thereby obtain dimethyl (R)-3-hydroxyoctanedioate. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then analyzed with the HPLC (CHIRALCEL OD-H, 4.6 mm x 250 mm; hexane/isopropyl alcohol = 90/10; flow rate, 0.5 mL/min; detection wavelength, UV-220 nm) to determine the asymmetric yield of the optically active compound. As a result, the yield was found to be 98.5%. Furthermore, the selectivity to the optically active compound was determined with the gas chromatograph (Neutrabond-1, 0.25 roml.D. x 30 m X 0.125 μm; initial temp., 100°C; final temp., 250°C; rate, 5.0 °C/min; injection temp., 220°C; detector temp., 250°C) , and was found to be 68%. EXAMPLE 10 Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Dimethyl 3-Oxooctanedioate Into a 100-mL autoclave were introduced dimethyl 3-oxooctanedioate (2.2 g: 10.2 mmol), methanol (6.6 mL), [RU2C14( (R)-SEGPHOS) 2] (NEt3) (3.4 mg: 0.002 mmol), and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (3.8 mg: 0.02 mmol). Hydrogen (3.0 MPa) was forced into the autoclave, and the reaction mixture was heated to 80°C and stirred for 6 hours to carry out asymmetric hydrogenation reaction and thereby obtain dimethyl (R)-3-hydroxyoctanedioate ester. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then analyzed with the HPLC (CHIRALCEL OD-H, 4.6 mm x 250 mm; hexane/isopropyl alcohol = 90/10; flow rate, 0.5 mL/min; detection wavelength, UV-220 nm) to determine the asymmetric yield of the optically active compound. As a result, the yield was found to be 99.2%. Furthermore, the selectivity to the optically active compound was determined with the gas chromatograph (Neutrabond-1, 0.25 mm I.D. x 30 m X 0.125 |im; initial temp., 100°C; final temp., 250°C; rate, 5.0°C/min; injection temp., 220°C; detector temp., 250°C) , and was found to be 99%. While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. This application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2000-223521 filed on July 25, 2000, the entire contents thereof being hereby incorporated by reference. WE CLAIM 1. A process for producing an optically active P-hydroxy acid compound represented by the following general formula (III): wherein R1 represents a C1-C15 alkyl group which may have one or more substituents selected form halogen atoms, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, amino groups protected by a protective group, amino groups protected by a mineral acid or organic acid, amino groups substituted with one or more C1-C4 lower alkyl groups, a benzyloxy group, C1-C4 lower alkoxy groups, C1-C4 lower alkoxycarbonyl groups, and aryl groups or an aryl group; and R2 represents a C1-C8 lower alkyl group, or a benzyl group which may have one or more substituents which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating a β-keto ester compound represented by the following general formula (I) : wherein R1 and R2 are the same as defined above in the presence of 1/100 to 1/100,000 mol per mol of the β-keto ester compound (1) of atleast one ruthenium complex such as herein described comprising as a ligand an optically active tertiary diphosphine compound represented by the following general wherein R3 and R4 each independently represent a C1-C5 lower alkyl groups and C1-C5 lower alkoxy groups, at a temperature ranging from 20 to 100°C and at a hydrogen pressure of from 0.1 to lOMPa for a period of 1 to 48 hours. 2. The process for producing an optically active alcohol as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ruthenium complex comprising an optically active tertiary diphosphine compound as ligand is at least one complex selected from the following ruthenium complexes represented by general formulae (IV) to (IX): the ruthenium complexes represented by wherein X represents a halogen atom, L represents an optically active tertiary phosphine ligand, and A represents a tertiary amine; the ruthenium complexes represented by wherein X and L are the same as defined above, and arene represents a benzene ring which may have one or more substituents; the ruthenium complexes represented by wherein L is the same as defined above, and G represents a halogen atom or an acetoxy group; the ruthenium complexes represented by wherein L is the same as defined above, and J represents BF4, CIO4, PF6, or BPh4 wherein Ph represents a phenyl group; the ruthenium complexes represented by wherein L and X are the same as defined above, and Q represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a phenyl group which may have one or more substituents, or a benzyl group which may have one or more substituents; and the ruthenium complexes represented by wherein X and L are the same as defined above, n is an integer of 1 to 3, and DMF represents N,N-dimethylformamide. 3. The process for producing an optically active alcohol as claimed in claim 1, wherein the asymmetric hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of at least one acid selected from sulphuric acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and benzenesulfonic aicd, besides the ruthenium complex. I 4. A process for producing an optically active alcohol substantially as herein above described and exemplified.

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0599-mas-2001 correspondence others.pdf

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0599-mas-2001 description (complete) duplicate.pdf

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0599-mas-2001 petition.pdf