PURPOSE: To obtain the subject compound useful as a synthetic intermediate for various natural compounds such as chemicals, e.g. medicines or agrochemicals or insect pheromones in high yield by carrying out the hydrogenating reaction of a cyclic ketone compound in the presence of a rhodium compound.
CONSTITUTION: This method for producing aldehydes of the formula, H=Ca-(Y)n- Cb-CHO and/or alcohols of the formula, H-Ca-(Y)n-Cb-CH3OH (Y is a hetero- element or methylene; Ca and Cb are each methylene, etc.; (n) is >1] is to carry out, the hydrogenating reaction of a cyclic ketone compound of the formula in the presence of a monovalent rhodium compound {e.g. [RhC1(COD)]2 (COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene)} at 50-200°C. Thereby, C-C bond at the α-position of the carbonyl group in the cyclic ketone compound can selectively be cleaved and reacted under mild conditions.
MURAKAMI MASAHIRO
