Abstract: A cyclic phenol sulfide represented by the following formula: 1

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing an optically active .beta.-lactone represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group having 1-9 carbon atoms which can be branched or a cycloalkyl group having 5-7 carbon atoms. The process comprises reacting an aldehyde represented by the general formula (II):R.sup.1 CHO (II)wherein R.sup.1 is the same as defined above, with a ketene represented by the general formula (III):CH.sub.2 .dbd.C.dbd.O (III)in the presence of a bissulfonamide/aluminum complex represented by the general formula (IV): ##STR2## wherein Ar represents 2,4,6-(R.sup.2).sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.2 (wherein R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group having 2-4 carbon atoms), Et represents an ethyl group and Ph represents a phenyl group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a .beta.-lactone derivative by reacting an aldehyde represented by formula (1):RCHO (1)wherein R represents a C1-C15 alkyl group which may be substituted by an aryl group, a C2-C15 alkenyl group, a 5-7-membered alicyclic group, or a phenyl group which may be substituted by a C1-C4 alkyl group; and ketene in the presence of a transition metal-phosphine complex. An industrially valuable .beta.-lactone can be efficiently produced at high yield.

Abstract: The novel optically active 1,1'-biphenanthryl-2,2'-diol is disclosed, which is obtained by preparing N((S)-1-phenylethyl)-1,1'-biphenanthryl-2,2'-diylthiophosphorylamide by using optically active phenylethylamine, recrystallizing the compound into an optically active compound, followed by reduction with a reducing agent. The diol compound according to the present invention is useful as a resolving reagent, a starting material of an optically active phosphine compound or a ligand in asymmetric synthesis, forming a complex with a transition metal or a rare earth element to provide a useful catalyst.

Abstract: A 1-substituted-2-diphenylphosphinonaphthalene represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, represents a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be substituted with an alkoxy group, a phenyl group or --OR.sup.6 (wherein R.sup.6 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an alcohol-protective group), and the rest of them represent a hydrogen atom; A represents a single bond or a methylene group; and R.sup.5 represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group; and a transition metal complex comprising the 1-substituted-2-diphenylphosphinonaphthalene as a ligand. The transition metal complex is useful as a catalyst in asymmetric synthesis.