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Abstract

Disclosed is a process for the production of optically pure (S)-beta-hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone through the hydrogenation of substituted carboxylic acid derivatives. A solution containing 1 to 50% by weight of a substituted carboxylic acid derivative is fed at a WHSV of 0.1 to 10 h.sup.-1, to a fixed bed reactor which is filled with a catalyst and maintained at a reaction temperature of 50 to 550.degree. C. under a halogen partial pressure of 15 to 5,500 psig. The catalyst is composed of a noble metal as a catalytically effective ingredient which is impregnated in an inorganic oxide as a support. The molar ratio of the hydrogen to the substituted carboxylic acid derivative is maintained at a molar ratio of 1:1 to 10:1. The process can produce optically pure (S)-beta-hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone with higher purities at higher yields than can conventional techniques. In addition to being relatively simple and environmentally friendly, the process is so economically favorable as to apply to industrial production.

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