Process for preparing optically pure (S)-3-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone
AssigneeSamsung Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.
InventorsYoung Mi Park, Jongpil Chun, Yik-haeng Cho, Kyoung Rok Roh, Hosung Yu, Dae Hwang, II
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a process for preparing optically pure (S)-3-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone expressed by the following Formula 1 and more particularly, to a process that enables preparing optically pure (S)-3-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone economically in large quantities, by: (a) Preparing α-(1,4) linked oligosaccharide with adequate sugar distribution by reacting starch which is easily available from natural product with enzyme under a specific condition; and (b) Performing oxidation and cyclization sequentially under a specific condition.
Claims24
A process for producing optically pure (S)-3-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone expressed by Formula 1 from polysaccharide source, comprising:
- (a) enzymatic reaction of starch to α-(1,4) linked oligosaccharide expressed by Formula 2;
- (b) oxidation of the oligosaccharide with an oxidant in a base to prepare a metal salt of (S)-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid expressed by Formula 3, wherein said oxidation comprises adding the oxidant and the base continuously over the course of the reaction;
- and
- (c) cyclization of the prepared salt of (S)-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid in the presence of an acid catalyst without additional separation and purification process to form (S)-3-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone expressed by the Formula 1,
- wherein R represents an alkali metal atom or an alkaline earth metal atom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.