Patent ID: 7153983
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
1. A process for preparing optically enriched substituted R(+)β-benzyl-γ-butyrolactones having the general formula wherein, R R R a) reacting alkoxybenzene having the following formula wherein R b) esterifying the product 4-keto-4-phenyl-butyric acid having the following formula obtained in step (a) with an alcohol and an acid to yield 4-keto-4-phenyl butyrate having the following formula c) reducing the keto group of the compound having the formula obtained in step (b) with a metal hydride catalyst in the presence of hydrogen gas to yield the corresponding secondary alcohol 4-hydroxy-4-phenyl butyrate having the following formula d) formylating the compound having the formula obtained in step (c) with an equimolar mixture of phosphoryl choloride and dimethyl formamide to produce at a temperature in the range of about −5° C. to 50° C. for about 36 hours 4-phenyl-3-formul-3ene-butrylate having the following formula e) catalyzing the unsaturated formyl ester having formula obtained in step (d) with a yeast selected from the group consisting of Baker's yeast, at a temperature of about 30° C. for about 50 hours or to obtain a compound having said general formula, wherein R f) cyclizing the dihydro primary alcohol having the formula from step (e) with an acid at a temperature of about 70° C. for 20 minutes to produce substituted R(+)β-benzyl-γ-butyrolactone having said general formula.