PURPOSE: To obtain a 2-aryl ethanol useful as an intermediate for a spice material, agricultural chemical, or drug by one step in high selectively and in high yield, by reducing an arylacetic acid with hydrogen in the presence of a rhenium catalyst and a proper organic base.
CONSTITUTION: An arylacetic acid, e.g., phenylacetic acid, p-methylphenylacetic acid, shown by the formula ArCH2COOH (Ar is aromatic hydrocarbon group of mono ring or condensed ring) is reduced with hydrogen in a solvent, e.g., dioxane, etc. in the presence of a rhenium catalyst, e.g., dirhenium heptoxide, and an organic base in an amount 10-4W10 times, preferably 10-2W1 time molar ratio to the catalyst, preferably at 100W180°C at a hydrogen partial pressure 80W200atm. for 0.1W10hr to give the desired compound. A nitrogen-containing compound, e.g., triethylamine, pyrimidine, etc. and a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g., triphenylphosphine, tri-n-butylphosphine, etc. is used as the organic base.
SUZUKAMO TAKEO
ISHINO MASARU
IKIMI KIYOSHI
