Disclosed is a method for efficiently producing L-2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)-butanoic acid, which is useful as a herbicide, in a high enantiomeric excess through a catalytic asymmetric synthesis reaction. The method comprises allowing a compound represented by the following formula (1):[where R1represents a C1-4alkyl group.] to react with benzylamine in the presence of dehydrating agent, and then allowing the resultant product to react with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of asymmetric catalyst to subject to acid hydrolysis and subsequent deprotection.一種化合物之之製造方法,利用觸媒性不對稱合成反應,以良好效率及高度不對稱產率,製造可用作為殺草劑之L-2-胺基-4-(羥甲基膦基)-丁酸。該製造方法包含下述製程:將上式(1)表示之化合物,[式中,R1為C1-4烷基],在脫水劑存在下與苄胺反應後,在不對稱觸媒存在下與氰化氫反應,其次進行酸水解,再進行脫保護之製程。
