Process for producing .alpha.-hydroxyketones

A process for producing an .alpha.-hydroxyketone represented by formula (I):

• ##STR5## wherein R' represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, wherein the substituent for the substituted alkyl group is a benzyloxy group, an acyloxy group, or a benzoyloxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, wherein the substituent for the aralkyl group is an acyloxy group, or an alkoxycarbonyl group;
• and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, wherein the substituent for the substituted alkyl group is a benzyloxy group, an acyloxy group, or a benzoyloxy group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, wherein the substituent for the aralkyl group is an acyloxy group, provided that they do not simultaneously represent a hydrogen atom;
• or a pair of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, a pair of R.sup.1 and R.sup.3, or a pair of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is taken together to form a 5-to 8-membered ring;
• and the pair of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 and the pair of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may form a 5- to 8-membered ring simultaneously, which comprises reacting a compound represented by formula (II):
• ##STR6## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are as defined above, with a peracid in the presence of a ruthenium compound, water, and a solvent, wherein said ruthenium compound is a compound represented by formula (III):
• wherein X represents a halogen atom, an acyloxy group of the formula, R.sup.4 COO, wherein R.sup.4 represents a lower alkyl group, or an acetylacetonato group, wherein said solvent is selected from acetonitrile, methylene chloride, dichloroethane, chlorobenzene or mixtures thereof, the catalyst is used in an amount of 0.01 to 0.2 mole per mole of the compound represented by formula (II), the peracid is used in an amount of 1 to 8 moles per mole of the compound represented by formula (II), and the reaction temperature is -10.degree. C. to +30.degree. C.