| abstract |
Disclosed is a process for the efficient preparation of 3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of 3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran by performing cyclization of 4-halo-1,3-butanediol either neat or in an organic solvent by heating to 75°C to 18O°C. In the present invention, acidic solution is not used in the cyclization and, thus, the reaction environment is improved. Further, the cyclization product 3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran is purified by a simple process. In addition, according to the present invention, chirality of the starting material is substantially maintained. Consequently, chiral 3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran with a high optical purity of 99.0% ee or better can be prepared economically, in high yield. |