To obtain the subject alcohol in high reaction yield and high optical yield by carrying out reaction while removing a carbonyl compound produced from an alcohol when specific ketones are subjected to hydrogen transfer type asymmetric reduction reaction.
When (A) ketones of formula I [R1 and R2 are each a (substituted) aromatic, an (un)saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, a cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon or a heterocycle or R1 and R2 together form a ring] are reduced by hydrogen transfer type asymmetric reduction reaction in the presence of (C) a transition metal complex catalyst by using (B) an alcohol as a hydrogen donating substance, the reaction is carried out while removing a carbonyl compound produced from the component B to provide the objective alcohol of formula II. The component B is preferably used in an amount of 1-130 mol based on 1 mol component A. An aliphatic monoalcohol, particularly isopropanol is preferably used as the component B. The reaction temperature is preferably -20 to 100°C.
SHIRASAKI YOSHIKAZU
IWANE HIROSHI
