NEW MATERIAL:The compound of formula I (R is 1-20C alkyl or 2-20C alkoxyalkyl each of which may be substituted with halogen; (n) is 1-6; *represents asymmetric carbon atom).
EXAMPLE: (-)-4-(3-Propoxycarbonylbutyl)phenol.
USE: Useful as an intermediate for a compound having excellent characteristics such as quick response and giving a ferroelectric liquid crystal in a temperature region near room temperature. It can be also used as an intermediate for agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.
PREPARATION: The objective compound of formula I is produced by the catalytic hydrogenation of an optically active benzyloxybenzene derivative of formula II in the presence of a transition metal catalyst. The starting compound of formula II can be produced by reacting an optically active carboxylic acid of formula III with an alkylation agent of formula R-Z (Z is halogen) or an alcohol of formula R-OH.
AZUMAI TAKAYUKI
TODA SHOJI
MINAMII MASAYOSHI
