The present invention is to provide a production technology by which an
optically active 2-[6-(hydroxymethyl)-1, 3-dioxan-4-yl]acetic acid
derivative, which are of value as pharmaceutical intermediates, can be
produced from inexpensive and readily available starting materials
without using any extraordinary equipment such as an
ultra-low-temperature reactor.The present invention is a production
process of an optically active
2-[6-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-4-yl]acetic acid derivative which
comprises reacting an enolate, prepared by permitting a base or a
0-valent metal to act on an acetic acid ester derivative with
(S)-.beta.-hydroxy-.gamma.-butyrolactone at a temperature not lower than
-30.degree. C. to give a dihydroxyoxohexanoic acid derivative, treating
the same with an acylating agent in the presence of a base to produce a
dihydroxyoxohexanoic acid monoacyl derivative, reducing this compound
with a microorganism to produce a trihydroxyhexanoic acid monoacyl
derivative, treating this compound with an acetal-forming reagent in the
presence of an acid catalyst to produce an acyloxymethyldioxanylacetic
acid derivative, and finally, subjecting this compound to solvolysis in
the presence of a base.