Patent ID: 8293899
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
1. A process for preparing ethyl 3-hydroxy-3-(2-thiophenyl) -propanoate from ethyl 3-oxo-3-(2-thiophenyl)-propanoate; methyl 3-hydroxy-3-(2-thiophenyl)-propanoate from methyl 3-oxo-3-(2-thiophenyl)-propanoate; methyl 3-(3-chloro-l-benzothien-2-yl)-3-hydroxypropanoate from methyl 3-(3-chloro-1-benzothien-2-yl)-3-oxo-propanoate; methyl 3-hydroxy-3-(3-furanyl) -propanoate from methyl 3-oxo-3-(3-furanyl)-propanoate; or methyl 3-hydroxy-3-(2-furanyl)-propanoate from methyl 3-oxo-3-(2-furanyl)-propanoate; said process comprising reacting formic acid, formate or a mixture thereof with said ethyl 3-oxo-3-(2-thiophenyl)-propanoate; said methyl 3-oxo-3-(2-thiophenyl)-propanoate; said methyl 3-(3-chloro-l-benzothien-2-yl)-3-oxo-propanoate; said methyl 3-oxo -3-(3-furanyl)-propanoate; or said methyl 3-oxo-3-(2-furanyl)-propanoate, wherein in each case said reacting is conducted in the presence of a ruthenium-containing catalyst and in the presence of at least one amine, at least some of which amine is present in protonated form.