Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing optically active 2-[6-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]acetic acid derivatives, which are of value as intermediates of drugs, from inexpensive starting materials without using any special equipment such as that required for super-low temperature reactions.

Abstract: It is an objective to produce intermediates of optically active beta-3 adrenaline receptor agonists from readily available raw materials in a safe, efficient and industrially advantageous manner. A substituted acetylpyridine derivative represented by the general formula (9) is reduced by enantioselective reduction to produce an optically active hydroxyethyl derivative represented by the general formula (10) (wherein * represents an asymmetric carbon atom), and it is further derivatized to an intermediate of an optically active beta-3 adrenaline receptor agonist, such as an optically active dihydroxyethylpyridine derivative represented by the general formula (14) or an optically active oxirane derivative represented by the general formula (16).

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing optically active 2-[6-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]acetic acid derivatives, which are of value as intermediates of drugs, from inexpensive starting materials without using any special equipment such as that required for super-low temperature reactions. A process for producing optically active 2-[6-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]acetic acid derivatives which comprises reacting an acetic acid derivative at a temperature of not less than −30° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process which can produce an important intermediate for the production of the HMG coenzyme A reductase inhibitor atrovastatin, 6-cyanomethyl-1,3-dioxane-4-acetic acid derivatives, with ease industrially and in good yields, wherein a 3,5-dihydroxy-6-halohexanoic acid derivative is used as the starting material, and which comprises cyanation by reaction with a cyanating agent for substitution of a cyano group for the halogen atom and an acetal formation reaction of the diol moiety with an acetal forming reagent in the presence of an acid catalyst.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a safe method of commercially producing optically active aminoalcohol derivatives, which serve as intermediates for the synthesis of medicinal chemicals such as the immunopotentiating anticancer agent bestatin, in a simple and easy manner in high yields and with high levels of selectivity.The present invention consists in a method of producing 3-amino-1-nitro-4-phenyl-2-butanol derivatives of the general formula (1) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an amino group protecting group, and a method of producing 3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid derivatives derivable therefrom.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a safe method of commercially producing optically active aminoalcohol derivatives, which serve as intermediates for the synthesis of medicinal chemicals such as the immunopotentiating anticancer agent bestatin, in a simple and easy manner in high yields and with high levels of selectivity.The present invention consists in a method of producing 3-amino-1-nitro-4-phenyl-2-butanol derivatives of the general formula (1) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an amino group protecting group, and a method of producing 3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid derivatives derivable therefrom.