Process for producing optically active alcohol

A process for producing an optically active alcohol represented by the general formula (III):

• (wherein * represents an asymmetric carbon atom, R1 represents a C1-C10 linear or branched perfluoroalkyl or perchloroalkyl group and R2 represents a C1-C8 lower alkyl group or benzyl group which may have a substituent), which comprises a step of subjecting a β-keto ester represented by the general formula (I):
• (wherein R1 and R2 each has the same meaning as described above) to a hydrogen-transfer reaction in the presence of an optically active ruthenium-diamine complex represented by the general formula (II):
• (wherein * represents an asymmetric carbon atom, R3 and R4 are the same or different and each represents an alkyl group or phenyl group or a cycloalkyl group which may have an alkyl group, or R3 and R4 may form an alicyclic ring unsubstituted or substituted by an alkyl group together with adjacent carbon atoms, R5 represents methanesulfonyl group;
• trifluoromethanesulfonyl group;
• benzene sulfonyl group or naphthyl group which may be substituted by an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a halogen atom;
• camphorsulfonyl group;
• an alkoxycarbonyl group;
• or benzoyl group which may be substituted by an alkyl group, R6 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, Ar represents an aromatic compound which may be substituted by an alkyl group, and X represents a halogen atom).