PURPOSE: The racemic isomer of α-hydroxyketone corresponding the titled compound is selectively reduced under specific conditions and fractionally recrystallized to prepare optically active diol and the diol is oxidized to give the titled optically active isomer in high purity.
CONSTITUTION: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast) is made to act on racemic α-hydroxyketone of formulaIto effect selective reduction to prepare a mixture of diol diastereomers of formula II and III at a ratio of 1:1. The product is fractionally recrystallized to give an optically active diol of formula II in optical purity of 100%. Further, the product is oxidized to give an optically active α-hydroxyketone of formula IV in optical purity of 100%. The objective compound is used as a raw material for 4-demethoxyadriamycin which has remarkable carcinostatic action.
TAMOTO KATSUMI
KOGA KENJI
