Iridium-optically active phosphine complex and process for producing optically active alcohols using the same

A process for producing an optically active allyl alcohol derivative represented by formula (VI):

• ##STR27## wherein R.sup.1 represents a phenyl group which may be substituted and R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group, comprising enantioselective hydrogenating an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ketone represented by formula (V):
• ##STR28## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as defined above, in the presence of an iridium-optically active phosphine complex represented by formula (I):
• [H.sub.2 Ir(L.sup.1)(L.sup.2)]Y (I)
• wherein L.sup.1 represents an optically active phosphine compound represented by formula (II):
• ##STR29## wherein Ar represents a phenyl group or a p- and/or m-lower alkyl-substituted phenyl group, or formula (III):
• ##STR30## L.sup.2 represents a tertiary phosphine compound represented by formula (IV):
• ##STR31## wherein Z represents a lower alkoxy group or a di-lower alkylamino group;
• and A represents an integer of from 1 to 3;
• Y represents BF.sub.4, PF.sub.6, ClO.sub.4, or BPh.sub.4, wherein Ph represents a phenyl group.