PRODUCTION OF OPTICALLY ACTIVE 2,3-DIHYDRO-1H-INDENE DERIVATIVE

PURPOSE:To produce an optically active 2,3-dihydro-1H-indene derivative useful as a synthetic intermediate for a compound known as an anoxemia-treating agent and an antioxidation agent in high purity and yield. CONSTITUTION:A 2,3-dihydro-1H-indene derivative of formula IV (R is group of formula V when A is group of formula II, and R is group of formula VI when A is group of formula III) or its salt can be produced by the catalytic hydrogenation of a compound of formula I [R to R are lower alkyl; A is group of formula II or formula III (R is phenyl which may have lower alkyl or lower alkoxy as substituent on the phenyl ring)] in the presence of platinum dioxide. A compound of formula VII (R is group of formula VIII when A is group of formula II and is group of formula IX when A is group of formula III) or its salt can be produced by performing the above catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of palladium-carbon. Reduction of the compound of formula IV or formula VII gives an optically active 2,3-dihydro-1H-indene derivative useful as a treating agent for anoxemia and an antioxidation agent in high purity and yield without using optical resolution.