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.
一种光学活性或外消旋的α-羟基醛,由通式(2)表示,其中R1代表C6-C14芳基、C1-C10烷基、C3-C10烯基、C2-C10炔基、C7-C14芳基烷基或含有有机部分中的官能团的基团;R2代表C1-C10烷基、C2-C10烯基、C2-C10炔基、C7-C14芳基烷基、C6-C14芳基或含有有机部分中的官能团的基团。该化合物是制备制药和农药的重要中间体,通过将由通式(1)表示的光学活性或外消旋化合物与
格氏试剂反应,然后
水解反应产物制备而成。其中A代表C6-C14芳基或C1-C4烷基或烷氧基或卤素取代的C6-C14芳基,R1如上所定义。