Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing optically active halomethyl phenyl carbinols of the formula (1), comprising reducing halomethyl phenyl ketones of the formula (2) using an asymmetric reducing agent obtained from boranes and optically active .alpha.-phenyl-substituted-.beta.-amino alcohols of the formula (3) or optically active .alpha.-non-substituted-.beta.-amino alcohols of the formula (4).The present invention further relates to a process for producing optically active carbinols, comprising reacting a prochiral keytone with an asymmetric reducing agent obtained from optically active .beta.-amino alcohols of the formula (5), a metal boron hydride and Lewis acid or lower dialkyl sulfuric acid. All of the formulas (1) to (5) are the same as shown in the specification.

Abstract: An anthrapyridone compound of the following formula (I) and which is useful for coloring resins: ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 is hydrogen, --NHCOR.sup.1, --CONR.sup.2 R.sup.3, --COR.sup.4, --SO.sub.2 R.sup.5 or --SO.sub.2 NR.sup.6 R.sup.7, in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are each C.sub.1-4 alkyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl, R.sup.5 is C.sub.1-4 alkyl or hydroxyethyl, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are each hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl, X.sup.2 is hydrogen or imidomethyl of the formula (II): ##STR2## wherein n is a number of 1 to 2, X.sup.4 is hydrogen or carboxylic acid C.sub.1-4 alkyl-ester, X.sup.3 is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, C.sub.1-4 alkyl or C.sub.1-4 alkoxyl, with the proviso that X.sup.1 is --NHCOR.sup.1, --CONR.sup.2 R.sup.3, --COR.sup.4, --SO.sub.2 R.sup.5 or --SO.sub.2 NR.sup.6 R.sup.7 when X.sup.2 is hydrogen, X.sup.2 is the imidomethyl of the formula (II) when X.sup.1 is the hydrogen, is provided, which is prepared by allowing an .alpha.

Abstract: Pure 1,4-dihydroxy-2-arylnaphthoate is prepared in high yield by allowing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid to react with triarylphosphite in the presence of an acid catalyst selected from organic and inorganic acids and crystallizing from a mixed solvent consisting essentially of lower alcohols and water until 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid is isolated and is further purified by crystallization from a mixed solvent consisting essencially of lower alcohols, water and extraction solvent, i.e., alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons or halogen-substituted aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons.