Disclosed herein is a process for producing a .gamma.-hydroxyketone (2), which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating a .gamma.-diketone (1) in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 mean individually an alkyl or phenyl group which may have a substituent group. According to the invention, optically active .gamma.-hydroxyketones useful in synthesizing optically active moiety in, biodegradable polymers, perfumes, intermediates for synthesizing medicines and the like can be efficiently prepared.
本发明涉及一种制备.gamma.-羟基酮(2)的方法,其包括在
钌-光学活性膦配合物存在下不对称氢化.gamma.-二酮(1)作为催化剂。式中,R1和R2各自表示可以具有取代基的烷基或苯基。根据本发明,可以高效地制备用于合成光学活性分子、
生物降解聚合物、
香料、合成药物中间体等的光学活性.gamma.-羟基酮。