| abstract |
A process for producing a benzhydrol compound (II) which comprises hydrogenating a benzophenone compound (I) in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst consisting of a transition metal complex, a base and an optically active diamine compound: <IMAGE> (I) <IMAGE> (II) wherein R1 to R10 each represents H, OH, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, C1-4 alkanoyl, etc., R2 and R3, and R8 and R9 may form -CH=CH-CH=CH-, or any two of R1 to R9 adjacent to each other may be bonded to thereby form -OCH2O- or -(CH2)3-. By using this process, optically active benzhydrol compounds which have a high purity and are useful as, for example, intermediates in the synthesis of drugs can be produced by simple procedures. |