Process for producing optically active gamma-butyrolactone

• Main Authors: MATSUMOTO TAKAJI, SOTOGUCHI TSUKASA, TAKENAKA MOTONOBU, MIURA TAKASHI
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 05.06.2003
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS; APPARATUS THEREFOR; CHEMISTRY; CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION ORPROCESSING OF GOODS; GENERAL METHODS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS; METALLURGY; ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINSTCLIMATE CHANGE

This invention provides a novel process for producing optically active 3-hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone in a short step, which is superior economically and in efficiency and industrially suitable by using a starting material which is inexpensive and easily available and reagents easy to handle. This invention relates to a process for producing optically active 3-hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone represented by formula I: wherein the symbol * means an asymmetric carbon atom, which comprises hydrogenating an optically active 4-substituted oxy-3-hydroxybutyrate represented by formula II: wherein R1 represents a C1-4 lower alkyl group, R2 represents a protective group for a hydroxyl group deprotected by hydrogenation with a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, and the symbol * has the same meaning as defined above, in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst and an acidic substance followed by deprotection and simultaneous ring closure thereof.