Abstract: A process for producing an optically active 1-substituted-1,3-propanediol is disclosed, comprising hydrogenating a 3-substituted-3-oxopropanol or 3-substituted-3-oxopropanal in the presence of a ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (I):[RuI(p-cymene)(R.sup.1 BINAP)]I.sub.3 (I)wherein R.sup.1 -BINAP represents an optically active tertiary phosphine represented by formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a phenyl group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group or a halogen atom at the p-position and/or m-position.

Abstract: A ruthenium-phosphine complex is disclosed, represented by formula (I):[RuI(p-cymene)(R.sup.1 -BINAP)]I.sub.3 (I)where R.sup.1 -BINAP represents a tertiary phosphine represented by formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a phenyl group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group or a halogen atom at the p-position and/or m-position. A process for producing an optically active 1-substituted-1,3-propanediol is also disclosed, comprising hydrogenating a 3-substituted-3-oxopropanol or 3-substituted-3-oxopropanal in the presence of the ruthenium-phosphine complex of formula (I).

Abstract: 2,2'-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binaphthyl represented by formula (I). ##STR1## is disclosed. A transition metal complex containing the same, a process for producing 2,2'-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binaphthyl, and a process for producing 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphinyl)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-binaphthyl are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 -BINAP represents a teritary phosphine compound represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a methoxy group, or a t-butyl group; X represents a halogen atom; and R and R.sup.1, which may be the same or different, each represent a phenyl group or a substituted phenyl group, and a ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (III): ##STR3## wherein R and R.sup.1 are as defined above; and dma represents N,N-dimethylacetamide, which is an intermediate for synthesizing the ruthenium-phosphine complex of formula (I), are disclosed. The complex of formula (I) is useful as a catalyst for general syntheses with its ligand being an optically inactive compound or for asymmetric syntheses with its ligand being an optically active compound and, also, can be prepared at a low cost.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active dihydropyran derivative represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a tri-lower alkylsilylmethyl group, a lower alkoxycarbonylamino group, or an --OR.sup.5 group, wherein R.sup.5 represents a lower alkyl group, a lower acyl group, a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, a di-lower alkylcarbamoyl group, or a tri-lower alkylsilyl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are taken together to form a 5- to 7-membered cyclic hydrocarbon group or to form a condensed heterocyclic group with an oxygen atom, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are taken together to form a 5- to 7-membered cyclic hydrocarbon group or to form a condensed heterocyclic group with an oxygen atom, provided that all of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 do not represent hydrogen atoms at the same time; and R.sup.6 represents a lower alkyl group, which comprises reacting a diene compound represented by formula (2): ##STR2## wherein R.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active alcohol is disclosed, which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating a carbonyl compound in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst. The resulting alcohol has high optical purity.

Abstract: A ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (I)[RuX.sub.l (L).sub.m (R-BINAP)]Y.sub.n (I)wherein R-BINAP represents a tertiary phosphine represented by formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; X represents a halogen atom; L represents substituted or unsubstituted benzene or acetonitrile; Y represents a halogen atom, CLO.sub.4, PF.sub.6, BPh.sub.4 (wherein Ph represents a phenyl group) or BF.sub.4 ; when L is substituted or unsubstituted benzene, l represents 1, m represents 1, and n represents 1; and whe L is acetonitrile, when l is 1, then m represents 2, and n represents 1, and when l is 0, the m represents 4, and n represent 2. The complex exhibits excellent catalytic activity in asymmetric reactions to provide a product of high optical purity. The complex can be produced at low cost.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active 6-t-butoxy-3,5-dihydroxyhexanoic ester represented by formula: ##STR1## wherein t-Bu represents a t-butyl group; and R.sup.4 represents a lower alkyl group, which is useful as a precursor of a lactone moiety of campactin, mevinolin or analogues thereof is disclosed, comprising asymmetrically hydrogenating a 4-t-butoxyacetoacetic ester in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex to obtain an optically active 4-t-butyoxy-3-hydroxybutanoic ester, reacting the ester with a lithium enolate of an acetic ester to obtain an optically active 6-t-butyoxy-5-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoic ester, and asymmetrically hydrogenating the resulting ester in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst. The desired product can be obtained in good yield at high stereoselectivity.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active 3-hydroxybutanoic acid represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 represents a protective group of carboxylic acid, andR.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom; a lower alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom; a lower alkoxy group; a phenyl group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy group; or a benzyloxy group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy group,is disclosed, comprising asymmetrically hydrogenating a 3-oxobutanoic acid ester represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as defined above, in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst. The compound of formula (I) which is useful for synthesizing a 4-acetoxyazetidin-2-one derivative, a useful intermediate for obtaining penem antibiotics, can be prepared economically.

Abstract: A process for preparing an .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylate represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group, a phenyl group or a cycloalkyl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are bonded to each other to form a five- to seven-membered cycloalkenyl or bicycloalkenyl ring which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group; and R.sup.3 represents a lower alkyl group,which comprises reacting an olefin compound represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 ' represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; and R.sup.2 ' represents a lower alkyl group, a phenyl group or a cycloalkyl group, or R.sup.1 ' and R.sup.2 ' are bonded to each other to form a five- to seven-membered cycloalkyl or bicycloalkyl ring which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group,with a glyoxylate represented by formula (III): ##STR3## wherein R.sup.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active carboxylic acid represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, and R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or a phenyl or naphthyl group which may have a substituent, provided that all of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are not simultaneously a hydrogen atom; when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are simultaneously a hydrogen atom, then R.sup.3 is not a methyl group; and that when R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom, then R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each a group other then a hydrogen atom,is disclosed, comprising asymmetrically hydrogenating an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are the same as defined above, in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active alcohol represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group having from 2 to 11 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having from 3 to 11 carbon atoms, an alkadienyl group having from 6 to 11 carbon atoms, a cyclohexyl group, an cyclohexylmethyl group, or a cyclohexylethyl group, provided that the olefin in the alkenyl group or alkadienyl group is not conjugated to the olefin at the 2-position thereof; and * means an asymmetric carbon atom,is disclosed, comprising subjecting an olefinic alcohol represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is the same as defined above to asymmetric hydrogenation in the presence of, as a catalyst, a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex.According to the process of the invention, the desired optically active alcohols which are useful not only as intermediates for the manufacture of perfumes and vitamin E but also as liquid crystal materials can be produced with high optical purities.

Abstract: A ruthenium-phosphine complex is disclosed, which is represented by formula (I):[Ru(R-BINAP)MCl.sub.k ].sub.l X.sub.m (I)wherein R-BINAP represents a tertiary phosphine represented by formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R represents hydrogen atom or methyl group; M represents Zn, Al, Ti, or Sn; X represents N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.3 or CH.sub.3 CO.sub.2 ; in the case that X represents N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.3, l is 2 and m is 1, and when M represents Zn, then k is 4, when M represents Al, then k is 5, and when M represents Ti or Sn, then k is 6; and in the case that X represents CH.sub.3 CO.sub.2, l is 1 and m is 2, and when M represents Zn, then k is 2, when M represents Al, then k is 3, and when M represents Ti or Sn, then k is 4.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active alcohol is disclosed, which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating a .beta.-keto acid derivative in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst. The resulting alcohol has high optical purity.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active alcohol is disclosed, which comprises asymmetrically hydrogenating a 1,3-diketone in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst. The resulting alcohol has high optical purity.

Abstract: A ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a methoxy group; and R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group, a halogenated lower alkyl group, a phenyl group, or a phenyl group substituted with a lower alkyl group. The complex is inexpensive and exhibits excellent performance as a catalyst for various organic syntheses, particularly for asymmetric hydrogenation.

Abstract: A ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a methoxy group; and X represents ClO.sub.4, BF.sub.4, or PF.sub.6. The ruthenium-phosphine complex is inexpensive and exhibits excellent performance as a catalyst for various organic syntheses, particularly for asymmetric hydrogenation.

Abstract: A ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a methoxy group; S represents a tertiary amine; when y is 0, then x is 2, z is 4, and p is 1; and when y is 1, then x is 1, z is 1, and p is 0. The complex is inexpensive and exhibits excellent performance as a catalyst for various organic syntheses, and particularly asymmetric hydrogenation.

Abstract: A ruthenium-phosphine complex having a 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl or its derivative as a ligand and carboxyl groups bonded to the ruthenium atom thereof is disclosed. The complex is inexpensive and exhibits excellent performances as a catalyst for various organic syntheses, and particularly for asymmetric hydrogenation.

Abstract: A ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (I):[RuH.sub.l (R-BINAP).sub.m ]X.sub.n' (I)wherein R-BINAP is a tertiary phosphine represented by formula (II): ##STR1## R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; X is a ClO.sub.4, BF.sub.4, or PF.sub.6 ; and when l is 0, then m is 1 and n' is 2, and when l is 1, then m is 2 and n' is 1, is disclosed. The complex is inexpensive and exhibits excellent performances as a catalyst for various organic syntheses, and particularly for asymmetric hydrogenation.