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Abstract

The present invention relates to a continuous process for the enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of .beta.-ketoesters comprising providing a catalytic hydrogenation zone and maintaining it under conditions of temperature and pressure effective for the catalytic hydrogenation of .beta.-ketoesters; continuously supplying to the catalytic hydrogenation zone a substrate comprising a .beta.-ketoester to be hydrogenated, a catalyst effective for enantioselective hydrogenation of the .beta.-ketoester and hydrogen; contacting the substrate, the catalyst and the hydrogen in the hydrogenation zone for a residence time effective for at least partial enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of the .beta.-ketoester; (d) continuously withdrawing from the hydrogenation zone a reaction product mixture comprising enantioselectively hydrogenated .beta.-ketoester, unreacted .beta.-ketoester, catalyst and hydrogen; (e) supplying the reaction product mixture to a separation zone and separating at least some of the enantioselectively hydrogenated .beta.-ketoester from the reaction product mixture; (f) withdrawing the separated enantioselectively hydrogenated .beta.-ketoester as product; and (g) optionally supplying at least part of the remaining material from the separation zone to the hydrogenation zone.

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First Claim