| abstract |
An optically active or racemic alpha -hydroxyaldehyde represented by the general formula (2), <IMAGE> (2) wherein R1 represents a C6-C14 aryl group, C1-C10 alkyl group, C3-C10 alkenyl group, C2-C10 alkynyl group, C7-C14 aralkyl group, or a group containing a functional group in the organic portion of said groups and R2 represents a C1-C10 alkyl group, C2-C10 alkenyl group, C2-C10 alkynyl group, C7-C14 aralkyl group, C6-C14 aryl group, or a group containing a functional group in the organic portion of these groups, which is an important intermediate for preparation of pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals, and prepared by allowing an optically active or racemic compound represented by the general formula (1), <IMAGE> (1) (wherein A represents a C6-C14 aryl group or a C1-C4 alkyl or alkoxy group- or halogen-substituted C6-C14 aryl group and R1 is as defined above) to react with a Grignard reagent, and thereafter hydrolyzing the reaction product. |