A process for preparing optically active secondary alcohols of the general formula (3), [wherein R
1
is linear lower alkyl, an aromatic ring group, or the like; A is CH
2
NR
2
R
3
or the like; n is an integer of 0 to 2; and * represents an asymmetric carbon atom] by asymmetrically hydrogenating a ketone compound of the general formula (1) having nitrogenous or oxygen functional group at any of the a-, &bgr;- and &ggr;-positions, with selectivity among functional groups by the use of a ruthenium/optically active bidentate phosphine/diamine complex as the catalyst in the presence of hydrogen alone or together with a base. The optically active secondary alcohols obtained by the process are useful as drugs and intermediates for the preparation of drugs.
通过使用
钌/光学活性双齿膦/二胺配合物作为催化剂,在存在
氢气的情况下或与碱一起,通过不对称地氢化具有氮或氧官能团在α、β和γ位置中的酮化合物(1)来制备通式(3)的光学活性二级醇,[其中R1是线性低碳烷基、芳香环基等;A是CH2NR2R3或类似物;n是0到2的整数;*代表不对称碳原子]。通过该过程获得的光学活性二级醇可用作药物及药物中间体的制备。