The Preparation of Optically Pure 3-Hydroxybutanoic Acid and Its Homologues as the Dibenzylammonium Salt

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/cl.1987.1267

Optically pure (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid and its homologues are prepared by the method consisting of the enantioface differentiating hydrogenation of methyl 3-oxoalkanoate to methyl 3-hydroxyalkanoate (80-90percent e.e.) over asymmetrically modified nickel catalyst and the preferential crystallization of optically pure 3-hydroxyalkanoic acids from the hydrogenation products as the dibenzylammonium salts.