| abstract |
PURPOSE: To obtain a desired optical isomer of the titled compound in high efficiency, by carrying out asymmetric hydrogenation of N-acyl-1-methylene(or benzylidene)-tetrahydroisoquinoline compound using an optically active ruthenium-phosphine complex as a catalyst. n CONSTITUTION: Only a desired optical isomer of the objective compound of formula II useful as an intermediate for isoquinoline-type alkaloid for pharmaceuticals, etc., can be directly produced with a simple operation in high purity and efficiency, by carrying out asymmetric hydrogenation of a compound of formula I (phenylene ring A is substituted with OH, lower alkoxy, acetoxy or benzyloxy; R is H, lower alkyl or phenyl; X is H or phenyl which may have OH, lower alkoxy or acetoxy as substituent group) using an optically active ruthenium-phosphine complex as a catalyst. n COPYRIGHT: (C)1987,JPO&Japio |