Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the cyanation of hydrogenated ?-ketoesters in a cyanation zone maintained under conditions of temperature and pressure effective for cyanation of a hydrogenated R-ketoester. A substrate comprising a hydrogenated ?-ketoester is continuously supplyed to the cyanation zone together with a cyanide. The substrate is contacted with the cyanide in the cyanation zone for a period effective for at least partial cyanation of the hydrogenated ?-ketoester and a product stream is continuously extracted from the cyanation zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of ?-ketoesters comprising providing a catalytic hydrogenation zone and maintaining it under conditions of temperature and pressure effective for the catalytic hydrogenation of ?-ketoesters; continuously supplying to the catalytic hydrogenation zone a substrate comprising a ?-ketoester to be hydrogenated, a catalyst effective for enantioselective hydrogenation of the ?-ketoester and hydrogen; contacting the substrate, the catalyst and the hydrogen in the hydrogenation zone for a residence time effective for at least partial enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of the ?-ketoester; (d) continuously withdrawing from the hydrogenation zone a reaction product mixture comprising enantioselectively hydrogenated ?-ketoester, unreacted ?-ketoester, catalyst and hydrogen; (e) supplying the reaction product mixture to a separation zone and separating at least some of the enantioselectively hydrogenated ?-ketoester