Patent ID: 6124122
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: C07B,C07D,C12P

Abstract:
A process for producing optically pure (S)-3-hydroxy-.gamma.-butyrolactone expressed by the following Formula 1 from polysaccharide source, which comprises the following steps:(a) Enzymatic reaction of amylopectin to .alpha.-(1,4) linked oligosaccharide expressed by the Formula 2;(b) Oxidation of the oligosaccharide with oxidant in base, and subsequent esterification with alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to afford ester of (S)-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid expressed by the Formula 3; and(c) Cyclization of the prepared ester of (S)-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid in the presence of an acid catalyst without additional separation and purification process to form (S)-3-hydroxy-.gamma.-butyrolactone expressed by the Formula 1, ##STR5## wherein R represents linear or branched alkyl group with 1.about.5 carbon atoms.