A process produces an optically active amine or its salt and includes the steps
of reacting a ketone of Formula (1a)
##STR1##
wherein R1 is typically an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon
group; and R2a is typically a hydrocarbon group having at least one
oxo group and optionally having other substituent, with an optically active amine
of Formula (2):
##STR2##
wherein R3 is an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group; R4
is an unsubstituted or substituted lower alkyl group; and C1 is
an asymmetric carbon atom, in the presence of an organic acid to thereby yield
a corresponding optically active imine, hydrogenating the imine in the presence
of a catalyst to yield a corresponding amine, subjecting the amine or its salt
to hydrogenolysis in the presence of a catalyst, and reducing the hydrogenolyzed
product with a reducing agent.
