A method for producing an optically active α-trifluoromethyl-β-amino acid derivative, the method including: allowing a compound represented by the following General Formula (1) and a compound represented by the following General Formula (2) to react in the presence of a copper-optically active phosphine complex obtained from a copper compound and an optically active phosphine compound, to thereby obtain an optically active α-trifluoromethyl-β-amino acid derivative represented by the following General Formula (3):

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Method for preparing methyl formate and coproducing dimethyl ether by reacting a formaldehyde and methanol raw material (molar ratio range of 1:4 to 1:0.05) in a First Reaction Region at ranges from 50° C. to 100° C. with Catalyst A resulting in post-reaction material separated into Constituent I. Reacting Constituent I in a Second Reaction Region at ranges from 50° C. to 200° C. and from 0.1 MPa to 10 MPa with Catalyst B resulting in post-reaction material, which is separated into methyl formate, dimethyl ether and Constituent II. At least 1% of dimethyl ether is product, and recycling the rest to the First Reaction Region. Constituent II is recycled to the Second Reaction Region. Each component is gaseous phase and/or liquid phase, independently. The method shows long catalyst life, mild reaction condition, high utilization ratio of raw materials, continuous production and large scale industrial application potential.

A method for producing an optically active -trifluoromethyl--amino acid derivative, the method including: allowing a compound represented by the following General Formula (1) and a compound represented by the following General Formula (2) to react in the presence of a copper-optically active phosphine complex obtained from a copper compound and an optically active phosphine compound, to thereby obtain an optically active -trifluoromethyl--amino acid derivative represented by the following General Formula (3): ##STR00001##

Method for preparing methyl formate and coproducing dimethyl ether by reacting a formaldehyde and methanol raw material (molar ratio range of 1:4 to 1:0.05) in a First Reaction Region at ranges from 50 C. to 100 C. with Catalyst A resulting in post-reaction material separated into Constituent I. Reacting Constituent I in a Second Reaction Region at ranges from 50 C. to 200 C. and from 0.1 MPa to 10 MPa with Catalyst B resulting in post-reaction material, which is separated into methyl formate, dimethyl ether and Constituent II. At least 1% of dimethyl ether is product, and recycling the rest to the First Reaction Region. Constituent II is recycled to the Second Reaction Region. Each component is gaseous phase and/or liquid phase, independently. The method shows long catalyst life, mild reaction condition, high utilization ratio of raw materials, continuous production and large scale industrial application potential.

The invention provides novel catalysts and methods of using catalysts for controlling the position of a double bond and cis/trans-selectivity in isomerization of terminal alkenes to their 2-isomers. Catalysts such as (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)Ru formulas 1 and 3 having a bifunctional phosphine can be used in the methods. A catalyst loading of 1 mol % of formulas 1+3 can be employed for the production of (E)-2-alkenes at 40-70 C.; lower temperatures can be used with higher catalyst loading. Acetonitrile-free catalysts can be used at lower loadings, room temperature, and in less than a day to accomplish the same results as catalysts 1+3. The novel catalyst systems minimize thermodynamic equilibration of alkene isomers, so that the trans-2-alkenes of both non-functionalized and functionalized alkenes can be generated.

According to the present invention, a method is provided wherein a basic aqueous phase containing an optically active -amino acid is brought into contact with an organic phase containing a racemisation catalyst in the form of a copper metal complex of copper ions and an -amino acid and salicylaldehyde, in the presence of a phase transition catalyst, thereby subjecting the optically active -amino acid to racemisation. In the -amino acid racemisation method according to the present invention, the reaction conditions are mild and thus there is little -amino acid breakdown and the yield is high, the racemisation catalyst can be reused, the -amino acid resulting from the racemisation can easily be isolated and purified, and the racemisation method can be implemented in volume such that the invention is economic.