2-phenyl-2-(2'-piperidinylidene)acetate derivative, process for manufacturing the same, and process for manufacturing optically active 2-phenyl-2-(2'-piperidinyl)acetate derivative by asymmetrically hydrogenating the same

A process for manufacturing a 2-phenyl-2-(2'-piperidinylidene)acetate compound represented by the following formula (1):

• ##STR12## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a lower alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a protective group for an amino group, which process comprises the step of:
• cyclizing a 7-(N-substituted amino)-3-oxo-2-phenyl heptanoate compound represented by the following formula (2):
• ##STR13## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same groups as defined for formula (1) and R.sup.4 represents a protective group for an amino group.

A process for manufacturing an optically active 2-phenyl-2- (2'-piperidinyl)acetate compound represented by the following formula (3):

• ##STR14## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a lower alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a protective group for an amino group, and * represents an asymmetrical carbon, which process comprises the step of:
• asymmetrically hydrogenating a 2-phenyl-2-(2'-piperidinylidene)acetate compound represented by the following formula (1):
• ##STR15## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are the same groups as defined for formula (3), in the presence of a complex of a Group VIII transition metal.