| abstract |
A chemical process is disclosed for the preparation of a pharmaceutically active compound in stereospecific form selected from the group of compounds having the formula: ##STR1## and their physiologically compatible salts and esters, wherein R is a lower alkyl and Ar a monocyclic, polycyclic or orthocondensed polycyclic aromatic group having up to 12 carbon atoms in the aromatic ring, and which may be substituted or unsubstituted in the aromatic ring, comprising the steps: n a) reacting a carbonyl substrate of the formula: ##STR2## where R and Ar have the meanings given above, with a stereospecific reagent in the presence of a reducing agent and an organic solvent to form the enatiomeric carbinol and n b) reacting the enantiomeric carbinol obtained to form the end product. |