Patent ID: 7582791
Filing Date: 2009-09-01
Classification: C07B,C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for producing an optically active 2-hydroxybutyric ester represented by formula (1): (wherein R represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a C7 or C8 aralkyl group, and * represents S- or R-absolute configuration), characterized in that the process comprises reacting an optically active 2,3-epoxybutyric ester represented by formula (2): (wherein R and * have the same meanings as defined above) with a thiol represented by R 1 —SH (wherein R 1 represents a C1 to C12 alkyl group or a phenyl group) in the presence of scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate or ytterbium trifluoromethanesulfonate, to thereby produce a compound represented by formula (3): (wherein R, R 1 , and * have the same meanings as defined above), and subjecting the compound represented by formula (3) to desulfurization reaction.