Methanol → methyl (R)-3-hydroxyoctadecanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Into a 200-ml autoclave (made of Hastelloy) were introduced 50 g of the methyl 3-oxooctadecanoate obtained above and 50 ml of methanol. The atmosphere in the autoclave was replaced with nitrogen gas. Thereto was added a solution prepared by dissolving 325 mg of Ru2Cl4 ((+)-(T)BINAP)2Et3N as a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex in 3.8 ml of methylene chloride. Asymmetric hydrogenation was conducted at 65° C. and a hydrogen pressure of 30 atm. After the reaction mixture was thus reacted for 12 hours, it was taken out of the autoclave. The reaction product was recrystallized from methanol to obtain 47.8 g of methyl (R)-3-hydroxyoctadecanoate. Yield, 95%.

Provenance & Evidence