Process of producing alpha-hydroxy compounds and uses thereof

A process for producing an alpha-hydroxy reaction product of the formula I:

• (R)CH(R′)—CHOH—COOR″ (I)
• wherein
• R is —H or —CH3;
• R′ is —CH3, —CH2CH3, —CH(CH3)2, —C6H5, —CH2SCH3, —C8H6N or —C3H3N2;
• and
• R″ is —H, —CH2CH3, —CH(CH3)2, —CH2CH2CH3, —CH2CH2CH2CH3, —CH2CH(CH3)2, or —C(CH3)3 comprising the steps of:
• a) Providing provising a first compound of the formula II:
• OHCH2—CHO (II)
• b) providing a second compound of the formula III:
• R—CO—R′ (III)
• wherein
• R and R′ have the meanings as defined above;
• and
• c) reacting the first compound with the second compound in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst and a reagent R″OH to provide the alpha-hydroxy reaction product, wherein R″ has the meaning as defined above, wherein the Lewis acid catalyst comprises one or more active metals selected from the group consisting of Sn, Ti, Pb, Zr, Ge and Hf.