Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited

Masatoshi Asami

Teruaki Mukaiyama

Yoji Sakito

An optically active or inactive .beta.-formyl-.beta.-hydroxy ester of the formula (1), ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkynyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl or C.sub.7 -C.sub.14 aralkyl group, R.sup.2 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, and a method for producing the same which comprises reacting an optically active or inactive compound of the formula (2), ##STR2## wherein A represents a C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group and R.sup.1 is as defined above, with an .alpha.-halo ester of the formula (3), ##STR3## wherein X represents a halogen atom and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined above, in the presence of zinc, followed by hydrolysis, or reacting an ester of the formula (4),

.beta.-formyl-.beta.-hydroxy ester

An optically active or racemic .alpha.-hydroxyaldehyde represented by the general formula (2), ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkenyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkynyl group, C.sub.7 -C.sub.14 aralkyl group, or a group containing a functional group in the organic portion of said groups and R.sub.2 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkynyl group, C.sub.7 -C.sub.14 aralkyl group, C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group, or a group containing a functional group in the organic portion of these groups, which is an important intermediate for preparation of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals, and prepared by allowing an optically active or racemic compound represented by the general formula (1), ##STR2## (wherein A represents a C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or alkoxy group- or halogen-substituted C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group and R.sub.1 is as defined above) to react with a Grignard reagent, and thereafter hydrolyzing the reaction product.

Acyl and ester derivatives of 1,3-diazabicyclo[3,3,0]octane

Process for preparing .alpha.-hydroxyaldehyde

An optically active or racemic .alpha.-hydroxyaldehyde represented by the general formula (2), ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkenyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkynyl group, C.sub.7 -C.sub.14 aralkyl group, or a group containing a functional group in the organic portion of said groups and R.sub.2 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkynyl group, C.sub.7-C.sub.14 aralkyl group, C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group, or a group containing a functional group in the organic portion of these groups, which is an important intermediate for preparation of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals, and prepared by allowing an optically active or racemic compound represented by the general formula (1), ##STR2## (wherein A represents a C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or alkoxy group- or halogen-substituted C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 aryl group and R.sub.1 is as defined above) to react with a Grignard reagent, and thereafter hydrolyzing the reaction product.

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Yokohama, Japan

Masatoshi Asami