Methanol → Methyl (3R)-3-hydroxyoctanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Into a 100-ml autoclave (made of Hastelloy) were introduced 20 g of methyl 3-oxooctanoate (manufactured by Inoue Perfumery Mfg. Co., Ltd., Japan) and 40 ml of methanol. The atmosphere in the autoclave was replaced with nitrogen gas. Thereto was added a solution prepared by dissolving 150 mg of Ru2Cl4 ((+)-(T)BINAP)2Et3N as a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex in 1.2 ml of methylene chloride. Asymmetric hydrogenation was conducted at a reaction temperature of 65° C. and a hydrogen pressure of 30 atm. After the reaction mixture was thus reacted for 6 hours, it was taken out of the autoclave. The methanol was distilled off, and the residue was subjected to vacuum distillation to obtain 19.2 g of methyl (R)-3-hydroxyoctanoate. Yield, 95%.

Provenance & Evidence