Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing an optically active oxazolidinone derivative comprising allowing hydrazine to react on an optically active ester having a hydroxyl group at the 3-position which is represented by formula (II): wherein R1 represents a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, a methoxymethyl group, a benzyloxymethyl group, a benzyloxycarbonylaminomethyl group which may have a substituent or substituents on the benzene ring thereof, an acylaminomethyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, or an alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 and R3, which may be the same or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, an acetylaminomethyl group, a benzoylaminomethyl group, or a benzyl group; and * indicates an asymmetric carbon atom, and subjecting the resulting hydrazide to Curtius rearrangement.

Abstract: An optically active compound represented by formula (I): wherein A represents ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms; R.sup.1 represents a straight chain alkyl group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms; X represents a fluorine atom or a methyl group; n represents 1 or 2; m represents an integer of from 0 to 3; and C* represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are disclosed. The compound exhibits large spontaneous polarization and low viscosity and, when added to an achiral base liquid crystal composition, induces a chiral nematic phase in which the helical pitch has small temperature dependence.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active 4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidone comprising asymmetrically hydrogenating an N-substituted-4-amino-3-oxobutanoic ester represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a benzyloxycarbonyl group, the benzene ring of which may be substituted; and R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst to obtain an optically active N-substituted-4-amino-3-hydroxybutanoic ester, deblocking, and cyclizing the ester. A series of the reactions can be carried out in one pot.

Abstract: A process for producing cyclohexylazetidinone expressed by the formula(IV) comprises condensing the magnesium enolate compound expressed by the formula (II) with acyloxyazetidinone expressed by the formula (III), wherein Me is a methyl group; R.sup.1 is a hydroxyl-protecting group, R.sup.2 is an acyl group, and X is a halogen atom.

Abstract: T-butyl (R)-(-)-4-cyano-3-hydroxybutyrate having an optical purity of 99%ee or higher and a process for producing the same are disclosed, the process comprising cyanogenation of a t-butyl (S)-(-)-4-halogeno-3-hydroxybutyrate obtained by enantioselective hydrogenation of a t-butyl 4-halogenoacetoacetate. Recrystallization of the resulting crude product gives the optically active compound with high optical purity.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A (3R,5S)-3,5,6-trihydroxyhexanoic acid derivative and a process of producing the (3R,5S)-3,5,6-trihydroxyhexanoic acid derivative which comprises the step of enantioselectively hydrogenating an (S)-5,6-dihydroxy-3-oxohexanoic acid derivative with a specific ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex represented as a catalyst are disclosed. The (3R,5S)-3,5,6-trihydroxyhexanoic acid derivative which is a useful compound capable of being easily converted into a lactone moiety, which is the active part of an inhibitor on HMG-CoA reductase, can be easily and efficiently obtained under a mild reaction condition with a high selectivity for the syn-diol form.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing optically active compound represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a straight chain alkyl or alkoxy group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms or a 4-alkylphenyl or 4-alkoxyphenyl group having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 represents a straight chain alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; C.sup.* represents an asymmetric carbon atoms; and X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, provided that X represents a fluorine atom when R.sub.1 contains a phenyl group, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are disclosed. The compound (I) has large spontaneous polarization and low viscosity to achieve a fast response time. In the N.sup.* phase of the compound (I), the helical pitch has small temperature dependence.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound represented by formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a straight chain alkyl group having from 4 to 18 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 represents a straight chain alkyl group having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms or a branched alkyl group having from 3 to 6 atoms and having a methyl group as a side chain; and m and n each represents 1 or 2, is disclosed.The liquid crystal compound of formula (I) is optically and electrically stable and exhibits fast electro-optical switching in image display.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound represented by formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a straight chain alkyl group having from 4 to 18 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 represents a straight chain alkyl group having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms or a branched alkyl group having from 3 to 6 atoms and having a methyl group as a side chain; and m and n each represents 1 or 2, is disclosed.The liquid crystal compound of formula (I) is optically and electrically stable and exhibits fast electro-optical switching in image display.

Abstract: Myrcenol is produced in an effecient, high yield and economical process by deaminating 7-hydroxygeranyl dialkylamine or 7-hydroxyneryl dialkylamine with a specific palladium-phosphine-cation complex catalyst represented by the formula[<.cndot.:PdL].sup.+ X.sup.-wherein <.cndot.: represents .eta.-allyl, L represents a tertiary phosphine, and X represents a counter anion.