Synthesis of optically active methyl 4-(4-biphenylyl)-3-hydroxybutanoate via enantioselective hydrogenation using a tartaric acid-modified nickel catalyst and recrystallization

Enantioselective hydrogenation of methyl 4-(4-biphenylyl)-3-oxobutanoate over a tartaric acid-modified Raney nickel catalyst gave the title compound in 82% ee, which was enantiomerically enriched by recrystallizations. The product was converted to an (R)-3-acetoxyglutaric acid half ester via a ruthenium-catalyzed oxidation.