Abstract: A method for producing optically active alcohols is provided. Optically active alcohols are useful intermediates in pharmaceutical production. The method of the present invention enables simple and efficient production of optically active alcohols with a high optical purity. According to the production method disclosed, optically active alcohols are produced via asymmetric reduction of 3-quinuclidinone using tropinone reductase-I. For example, the use of tropinone reductase-I derived from plants like Datura stramonium and Hyoscyamus niger allows the production of high optical purity (R)-3-quinuclidinol.

Abstract: A novel monomethyl malonate derivative is represented by following Formula (I): wherein X is a halogen atom; and Me is methyl group. This compound can be prepared by the steps of (A) reacting a benzyl halide derivative represented by following Formula (II): wherein X and Y may be the same as or different from each other and are each a halogen atom, with dimethyl malonate in the presence of a base to yield a dimethyl malonate derivative represented by following Formula (III): wherein X and Me have the same meanings as defined above; and (B) hydrolyzing the dimethyl malonate derivative of Formula (III). The compound is useful in the production of an indanonecarboxylic acid ester having a halogen atom on the indanone ring.

Abstract: A novel monomethyl malonate derivative is represented by following Formula (I): wherein X is a halogen atom; and Me is methyl group. This compound can be prepared by the steps of (A) reacting a benzyl halide derivative represented by following Formula (II): wherein X and Y may be the same as or different from each other and are each a halogen atom, with dimethyl malonate in the presence of a base to yield a dimethyl malonate derivative represented by following Formula (III): wherein X and Me have the same meanings as defined above; and (B) hydrolyzing the dimethyl malonate derivative of Formula (III). The compound is useful in the production of an indanonecarboxylic acid ester having a halogen atom on the indanone ring.

Abstract: A novel monomethyl malonate derivative is represented by following Formula (I): wherein X is a halogen atom; and Me is methyl group. This compound can be prepared by the steps of (A) reacting a benzyl halide derivative represented by following Formula (II): wherein X and Y may be the same as or different from each other and are each a halogen atom, with dimethyl malonate in the presence of a base to yield a dimethyl malonate derivative represented by following Formula (III): wherein X and Me have the same meanings as defined above; and (B) hydrolyzing the dimethyl malonate derivative of Formula (III). The compound is useful in the production of an indanonecarboxylic acid ester having a halogen atom on the indanone ring.

Abstract: A method for producing optically active alcohols is provided. Optically active alcohols are useful intermediates in pharmaceutical production. The method of the present invention enables simple and efficient production of optically active alcohols with a high optical purity. According to the production method disclosed, optically active alcohols are produced via asymmetric reduction of 3-quinuclidinone using tropinone reductase-I. For example, the use of tropinone reductase-I derived from plants like Datura stramonium and Hyoscyamus niger allows the production of high optical purity (R)-3-quinuclidinol as shown in Formula (1) below.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel acid halide derivative represented by Formula (I): wherein X and Y may be the same or different and are each a halogen atom; and R is a lower alkyl group. By cyclizing the acid halide derivative of Formula (I) in the presence of a catalyst, an indanonecarboxylic acid ester represented by Formula (VI): wherein X and R are as defined above, is produced. Such indanonecarboxylic acid esters are useful as intermediates for insecticides.

Abstract: A novel monomethyl malonate derivative is represented by following Formula (I): wherein X is a halogen atom; and Me is methyl group. This compound can be prepared by the steps of (A) reacting a benzyl halide derivative represented by following Formula (II): wherein X and Y may be the same as or different from each other and are each a halogen atom, with dimethyl malonate in the presence of a base to yield a dimethyl malonate derivative represented by following Formula (III): wherein X and Me have the same meanings as defined above; and (B) hydrolyzing the dimethyl malonate derivative of Formula (III). The compound is useful in the production of an indanonecarboxylic acid ester having a halogen atom on the indanone ring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel acid halide derivative represented by Formula (I): wherein X and Y may be the same or different and are each a halogen atom; and R is a lower alkyl group. By cyclizing the acid halide derivative of Formula (I) in the presence of a catalyst, an indanonecarboxylic acid ester represented by Formula (VI): wherein X and R are as defined above, is produced. Such indanonecarboxylic acid esters are useful as intermediates for insecticides.

Abstract: A method for producing optically active alcohols is provided. Optically active alcohols are useful intermediates in pharmaceutical production. The method of the present invention enables simple and efficient production of optically active alcohols with a high optical purity. According to the production method disclosed, optically active alcohols are produced via asymmetric reduction of 3-quinuclidinone using tropinone reductase-I. For example, the use of tropinone reductase-I derived from plants like Datura stramonium and Hyoscyamus niger allows the production of high optical purity (R)-3-quinuclidinol as shown in Formula (1) below.

Abstract: The present invention provide processes for producing an optically active quinuclidinol from a quinuclidinone using an asymmetric reduction by a microorganism and enzyme with commercial advantages in simple and easy manner. In the present invention, permit a microorganism or preparation thereof to act on a quinuclidinone (3-quinuclidinone), and recover or harvest an optically active quinuclidinol produced (3-quinuclidinol). The microorganisms capable of producing an (R)-3-quinuclidinol from a 3-quinuclidinone include the genus Nakazawaea, the genus Candida and the genus Proteus. The microorganisms capable of producing an (S)-3-quinuclidinol from a 3-quinuclidinone include the genus Arthrobacter, the genus Pseudomonas and the genus Rhodosporidium.

Abstract: Tyrosine decarboxylase, or microorganisms of the genuses Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Providencia, Fusarium, and Gibberella were reacted with a mixture of the enantiomers of threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products to produce (R)-2-amino-1-phenylethanol or its halogen substitution products. At the same time, one of the enantiomers of threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products were selectively left, and optically active threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products were produced. In addition, a novel material of 3-(3-chlorophenyl)serine, which is a substrate of the reaction in the present invention, was produced. (R)-2-amino-1-phenylethanol or its halogen substitution products, and optically active threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products can economically be produced on an industrial scale.

Abstract: Tyrosine decarboxylase, or microorganisms of the genuses Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Providencia, Fusarium, and Gibberella were reacted with a mixture of the enantiomers of threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products to produce (R)-2-amino-1-phenylethanol or its halogen substitution products. At the same time, one of the enantiomers of threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products were selectively left, and optically active threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products were produced. In addition, a novel material of 3-(3-chlorophenyl)serine, which is a substrate of the reaction in the present invention, was produced. (R)-2-amino-1-phenylethanol or its halogen substitution products, and optically active threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products can economically be produced on an industrial scale.

Abstract: Tyrosine decarboxylase, or microorganisms of the genuses Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Providencia, Fusarium, and Gibberella were reacted with a mixture of the enantiomers of threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products to produce (R)-2-amino-1-phenylethanol or its halogen substitution products. At the same time, one of the enantiomers of threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products were selectively left, and optically active threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products were produced. In addition, a novel material of 3-(3-chlorophenyl)serine, which is a substrate of the reaction in the present invention, was produced. (R)-2-amino-1-phenylethanol or its halogen substitution products, and optically active threo-3-phenylserine or its halogen substitution products can economically be produced on an industrial scale.

Abstract: 1,3-Oxazin-4-one derivatives represented by general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a lower alkyl group, a lower alkenyl group, an aryl group which may be substituted, or an aralkyl group which may be substituted;R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group;R.sup.3 is a lower alkyl group, an aryl group which may be substituted, or an aralkyl group which may be substituted; andR.sup.4 and R.sup.5, independently, each is a lower alkyl group, or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, taken together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, combine to form a 3- to 8-membered carbocyclic group which may have a branch of a lower alkyl group. These compounds have broad herbicidal spectra and potent herbicidal activities and in addition high safety to useful crops, so that they are useful as herbicides.