Patent ID: 7534908
Filing Date: 2009-05-19
Classification: C07B,C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for preparing optically active 3-alkylcarboxylic acids, comprising the following steps: A) converting an optically active secondary alcohol to an optically active, activated compound by introducing a leaving group, B) reacting the activated compound with malonic acid or a malonic acid derivative to give an optically active, alkylated malonic acid compound, the reaction effected exclusively in the presence of one or more ether or carboxylic ester solvents and optionally one or more aprotic polar or alcohol solvents as a cosolvent in an amount of 30% or less of the total volume of solvent, with the proviso that the cosolvent is not hexamethylphosphoramide, C) if the product from step B) or a work-up thereof is not in the form of the acid corresponding to the malonic acid compound, hydrolyzing the malonic acid compound to the corresponding acid, and D) decarboxylating the corresponding acid.