| abstract |
This invention aims at providing a catalyst for producing an optically active aldehyde or an optically active ketone, which is an optically active carbonyl compound, by carrying out selective asymmetric hydrogenation of an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound, particularly a catalyst which is insoluble in a reaction mixture for obtaining optically active citronellal which is useful as a flavor or fragrance, by carrying out selective asymmetric hydrogenation of citral, geranial or neral; and a method for producing a corresponding optically active carbonyl compound. The invention relates to a catalyst for asymmetric hydrogenation of an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound, which comprises a powder of at least one metal selected from metals belonging to Group 8 to Group 10 of the Periodic Table, or a metal-supported substance in which at least one metal selected from metals belonging to Group 8 to Group 10 of the Periodic Table is supported on a support, an optically active cyclic nitrogen-containing compound and an acid. |