A catalyst and a method for preparing S-indoxacarb using the catalyst. The catalyst is prepared using 3-tert-butyl-5-(chloromethyl)salicylaldehyde and cyclohexanediamine as raw materials, where an original quinine catalyst such as cinchonine is replaced with the catalyst for application in the asymmetric synthesis of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and 5-chloro-2-methoxycarbonyl-1-indanone ester, greatly improving selection in the asymmetric synthesis process, with the S-enantiomer content increasing from 75% to over 98%, achieving the recycling of a high-efficiency chiral catalyst, and greatly reducing production costs. The synthesis process of the catalyst is simple and is favorable for industrialization, and lays good foundations for the production of high-quality indoxacarb.

A catalyst and a method for preparing S-indoxacarb using the catalyst. The catalyst is prepared using 3-tert-butyl-5-(chloromethyl)salicylaldehyde and cyclohexanediamine as raw materials, where an original quinine catalyst such as cinchonine is replaced with the catalyst for application in the asymmetric synthesis of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and 5-chloro-2-methoxycarbonyl-1-indanone ester, greatly improving selection in the asymmetric synthesis process, with the S-enantiomer content increasing from 75% to over 98%, achieving the recycling of a high-efficiency chiral catalyst, and greatly reducing production costs. The synthesis process of the catalyst is simple and is favorable for industrialization, and lays good foundations for the production of high-quality indoxacarb.

The present invention relates to kinetic resolution of racemic δ-hydroxyl ester via asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation and an application thereof. In the presence of chiral spiro pyridyl phosphine ligand Iridium catalyst and base, racemic δ-hydroxyl esters were subjected to asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation to obtain extent optical purity chiral δ-hydroxyl esters and corresponding 1,5-diols. The method is a new, efficient, highly selective, economical, desirably operable and environmentally friendly method suitable for industrial production. An optically active chiral δ-hydroxyl ester and 1,5-diols can be obtained at very high enantioselectivity and yield with relatively low usage of catalyst. The chiral δ-hydroxyl ester and 1,5-diols obtained by using the method can be used as a critical raw material for asymmetric synthesis of chiral drugs (R)-lisofylline and natural drugs (+)-civet, (−)-indolizidine 167B and (−)-coniine.

The present invention relates to kinetic resolution of racemic δ-hydroxyl ester via asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation and an application thereof. In the presence of chiral spiro pyridyl phosphine ligand Iridium catalyst and base, racemic δ-hydroxyl esters were subjected to asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation to obtain extent optical purity chiral δ-hydroxyl esters and corresponding 1,5-diols. The method is a new, efficient, highly selective, economical, desirably operable and environmentally friendly method suitable for industrial production. An optically active chiral δ-hydroxyl ester and 1,5-diols can be obtained at very high enantioselectivity and yield with relatively low usage of catalyst. The chiral δ-hydroxyl ester and 1,5-diols obtained by using the method can be used as a critical raw material for asymmetric synthesis of chiral drugs (R)-lisofylline and natural drugs (+)-civet, (−)-indolizidine 167B and (−)-coniine.

There is provided a novel optically active bisphosphinomethane useful as a ligand for an asymmetric catalyst, excellent in oxidation resistance in air, and easy in handling. There is also provided a transition metal complex using the optically active bisphosphinoraethane having excellent asymmetric catalytic ability as a ligand. The optically active bisphosphinomethane is represented by the general formula (1), and the transition metal complex has the optically active bisphosphinomethane as a ligand. ##STR00001##
(In the formula, R.sup.1 represents an adamantyl group; R.sup.2 represents a branched alkyl group having 3 or more carbon atoms; and * represents an asymmetric center on a phosphorus atom.)

There is provided a novel optically active bisphosphinomethane useful as a ligand for an asymmetric catalyst, excellent in oxidation resistance in air, and easy in handling. There is also provided a transition metal complex using the optically active bisphosphinoraethane having excellent asymmetric catalytic ability as a ligand. The optically active bisphosphinomethane is represented by the general formula (1), and the transition metal complex has the optically active bisphosphinomethane as a ligand. ##STR00001##
(In the formula, R.sup.1 represents an adamantyl group; R.sup.2 represents a branched alkyl group having 3 or more carbon atoms; and * represents an asymmetric center on a phosphorus atom.)

A method for synthesizing (R)-(−)-1-((S)-2-diphosphino ferrocene)-ethyl-diphosphine by: 1) adding vinylferrocene, a chiral catalyst, and toluene to a first drying reactor; adding a phosphorus-hydrogen compound to the first drying reactor and allowing reactants in the first drying reactor to react; cooling the first drying reactor; adding water dropwise to the first drying reactor; extracting, drying, and recrystallizing a product to yield (R)-1-ferrocenylethyl-diphosphine; 2) adding the (R)-1-ferrocenylethyl-diphosphine and ether to a second drying reactor; adding a hexane solution including diethylzinc to the second drying reactor and allowing reactants in the second drying reactor to react; adding a phosphorus-chlorine compound dropwise to the second drying reactor, and heating and refluxing the reaction mixture in the second drying reactor; adding water to quench the reaction mixture in the second drying reactor; and extracting, drying, and recrystallizing the reaction mixture.

Provided is a process for producing an optically active hydroxyaldehyde or aminohydroxyaldehyde. The process for producing an optically active hydroxyaldehyde or aminohydroxyaldehyde is characterized by reacting an aldehyde or an imine with a boric acid enol ester in the presence of a copper compound and an optically active bidentate phosphine compound.

A method for producing a compound (3), which comprises allowing a compound (1) to react with hydrogen gas in an inert solvent, in the presence of a specific chiral ligand and a ruthenium catalyst, or in the presence of an asymmetric transition metal complex catalyst previously generated from the chiral ligand and the ruthenium catalyst.

##STR00001##

An aluminum catalyst is obtained by reacting at least one compound of a specific alkylaluminum compound and a specific hydridoaluminum compound with a specific hydroxy compound. The specific hydroxyl compound is a specific 2-cycloalkyl-6-arylphenol or a specific di(2-cycloalkyl-6-arylphenol). A method for producing isopulegol or optically active isopulegol includes selectively cyclizing citronellal using the aluminum catalyst.