Method for producing optically active 2,3-dihydrofarnesal

Abstract

A method for producing an optically active 2,3-dihydrofarnesal of formula (1) is disclosed. The method includes subjecting β-farnesene f formula (2) to amination in the presence of a lithium salt of an amine to obtain (2E)-farnesyl allylamine of general formula (3); subjecting the (2E)-farnesyl allylamine to asymmetric isomerization to obtain an optically active farnesyl enamine of general formula (4); and subjecting the optically active farnesyl enamine to solvolysis:

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optically active farnesyl enamine of the following chemical formula (4): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein represents an asymmetric carbon atom, 
         R 1  and R 2  are each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, optionally substituted alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, optionally substituted 3- to 8-membered alicyclic groups, optionally substituted aryl groups having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, optionally substituted heterocyclic groups having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, and optionally substituted aralkyl groups having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, provided that R 1  and R 2  do not represent hydrogen atoms at the same time, or R 1  and R 2  may be bonded to each other to form a ring. 
       
     
     
         2 . The optically active farnesyl enamine according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the configuration of the optically active farnesyl enamine of chemical formula (4) is in the 3S-form.   
     
     
         3 . The optically active farnesyl enamine according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the configuration of the optically active farnesyl enamine of chemical formula (4) is in the 3R-form.