Process for the production of alkanediol derivative

A process for producing an alcohol derivative represented by the following general formula (II):

• (wherein R2 and R3 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• X is a hydrogen atom, a substituted methyl group, or a substituted ethyl group;
• and n is 0 or 1), which process comprises reducing an ester compound represented by the following general formula (I):
• (wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• and R2. R3, X and n have the same definitions as given above) with sodium borohydride in a mixed solvent of at least one kind of solvent selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons and alicyclic hydrocarbons and methanol.

A process for producing an alcohol derivative represented by the following general formula (II):

• (wherein R2 and R3 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• X is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group for hydroxyl group which can be removed under an acidic condition;
• and n is 0 or 1), which process comprises reducing an ester compound represented by the following general formula (I):
• (wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• and R2;
• R3, X and n have the same definitions as given above) with sodium borohydride in a mixed solvent of at least one kind of solvent selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons and alicyclic hydrocarbons and methanol, at room temperature.