Patents Examined by Lyman H. Smith
  • Patent number: 5874612
    Abstract: A process for preparing glyphosate and other secondary amines of related structure in which a precursor primary amine such as aminomethylphosphonic acid is condensed with glyoxylic acid, or a related aldehyde compound, and the condensation product reduced without isolation to produce the desired product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: Sherrol L. Baysdon, Raymond C. Grabiak, Thomas E. Rogers, Lowell R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5856533
    Abstract: Heterogeneous vapor phase oxidation and other reactions are carried out at the surface of a solid catalyst, with both gaseous reactants and the solid catalyst being dispersed in a recirculating liquid solvent. Reaction and product absorption are combined into a single processing step, with enhanced catalyst performance, and product selectivity and product yields, enhanced mass and heat transfer characteristics and reduced risk of forming explosive mixtures in the course of a particular reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Brien Sweeney, Roger William Day, Deepak Lumba
  • Patent number: 5847004
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for the in vivo reduction of nitric oxide levels in a mammalian subject. In contrast to the inhibitory approach described in the prior art (i.e., wherein the function of the enzymes responsible for nitric oxide production is inhibited), the present invention employs a scavenging approach whereby overproduced nitric oxide is bound in vivo to a suitable nitric oxide scavenger. The resulting complex renders the nitric oxide harmless, and is eventually excreted in the urine of the host. An exemplary nitric oxide scavenger contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention is a dithiocarbamate-ferrous iron complex. This complex binds to .NO, forming a stable, water-soluble NO-containing complex having a characteristic three-line spectrum (indicative of a mononitrosyl-Fe complex) which can readily be detected at ambient temperatures by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: MCW Research Foundation
    Inventor: Ching-San Lai
  • Patent number: 5817896
    Abstract: As replacements for chlorofluorcarbons, hydro(chloro)fluorocarbons are synthesized by hydrogenating chlorofluorocarbons over a Pd/ZnO/.gamma.--Al.sub.2 O3 catalyst. The ZnO is partially reduced before use and assists the Pd to function catalytically for days instead of hours despite the evolution of halogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: The University Court of The University of Dundee
    Inventor: James Thomson
  • Patent number: 5792878
    Abstract: A process for preparing chiral epoxides using chiral manganese triazanonane complexes as oxidation catalysts. These catalysts have the general formula?Mn.sub.u (L).sub.v (OR).sub.w (.mu.O).sub.x (.mu.OAc).sub.y !X.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Beller, Ahmed Tafesh, Richard Walter Fischer, Bernd Scharbert
  • Patent number: 5783712
    Abstract: The invention relates to compounds having at least one vinyl ether group which also contain in the molecule at least one further functional group selected from acrylate, methacrylate, epoxy, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl and vinylaryl groups, to compositions, especially for stereolithography, comprising those vinyl ether compounds, and to a method of producing three-dimensional objects using those compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Bettina Steinmann, Adrian Schulthess, Max Hunziker
  • Patent number: 5780700
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of olefinically unsaturated compounds by catalytic oxidation, ie oxidative dehydrogenation by transferring oxygen from a previously oxidized oxygen carrier acting as catalyst, in the absence of molecular oxygen, the catalyst being regenerated after exhaustion, wherein, during the operating phase of the catalyst (oxidation/dehydration partial step), the residence time, space velocity and/or temperature of the reactants in the reactor is/are adjusted, ie, controlled, continuously or in discrete steps, in a manner appropiate to the momentary state of activity of the redox catalyst by adjusting--continuously or stepwise--the residence time of the reactants in the freshly regenerated catalyst (ie at the commencement of the reaction) to a shorter time, and/or the temperature to a lower value, than the corresponding parameter(s) in the partially reduced catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alfred Hagemeyer, Thomas Lautensack, Otto Watzenberger, Axel Deimling
  • Patent number: 5773634
    Abstract: The liquid and gaseous products formed by reacting oxygen with isobutane in an oxidation reactor are separately processed; the liquid reaction product being charged to a distillation zone and separated into a lower boiling isobutane fraction and a higher boiling fraction comprising tertiary butyl alcohol and tertiary butyl hydroperoxide; the gaseous reaction product comprising inert gases and vaporized and/or entrained isobutane being cooled by an amount sufficient to condense isobutane contained therein for recycle to the oxidation reactor; the remaining gases, including isobutane being charged to a tertiary butyl alcohol absorber to obtain a solution of isobutane in tertiary butyl alcohol that is recycled to the distillation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Huntsman Specialty Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: David Durham Chess, David George Pottratz, Eileen Tovan Nguyen, William Kemp Culbreth, III
  • Patent number: 5763479
    Abstract: A redox, hydrogen-acceptor compound, having utility in treating inflammation, is a 1,4-dioxonaphthalene or 1,4-dilminon aphthalene having either a 2,3-double bond, in which cast there are 2 and 3-substituents, or a 2,3-single bond. Examples of such compounds are menadione epoxide and water-soluble derivatives or menadione such as menadione bisulphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: KS Biomedix Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Chayen, Lucille Bitensky, George T. B. Frost
  • Patent number: 5763623
    Abstract: Methods for effecting epoxidation of olefinic compounds using cyclic ketone catalysts is provided. In particular, catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of unfunctionalized olefins, e.g., trans-olefins and trisubstituted olefins using novel cyclic ketones possessing C.sub.2 symmetric chiral elements is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Dan Yang, Jian-Hua Zhang, Man-Kin Wong, Yiu-Chung Yip, Man-Wai Tang
  • Patent number: 5763629
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 32 H, CH.sub.3 ;R.sub.2 =H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl; andx=1-20; andprocess for preparing such compounds by reacting a compound of the formula ##STR2## with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of (a) tungstic acid or its metal salts, (b) phosphoric acid or its metal salts, and (c) at least one phase transfer catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Sartomer Company
    Inventors: Mingxin Fan, Gary W. Ceska, James Horgan, Thomas W. Hazell
  • Patent number: 5760253
    Abstract: A reactor and process is for the production of oxirane compounds by reaction of an olefin such as propylene with an organic hydroperoxide using a solid contact catalyst, characterized by the following features:(1) the reactor is divided into a series of separate zones, each zone containing a bed of solid epoxidation catalyst;(2) about 25-75% of the heat of reaction is removed by preheating cold reactor feed by direct contact with a heated recycle stream from the reactor; and(3) about 25-75% of the heat of reaction is accounted for by a reaction mixture temperature rise of 20.degree.-100.degree. F. and by vaporization of 15-40% of the net reactor product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Danner, John C. Jubin, Jr., Richard J. Wolff
  • Patent number: 5756779
    Abstract: Disclosed are improved processes for the recovery of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent comprising epoxybutane, butadiene, oxygen and an inert diluent obtained by the selective epoxidation of butadiene with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst and an inert gas. Epoxybutene is separated from the effluent by means of an absorption process using an extractant comprising liquid butadiene and, optionally, a hydrocarbon diluent. The formation of butenediols, by the reaction of epoxybutene and water, in the recovery process is inhibited by the addition of a base, preferably an alkali metal base, to the recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventor: Jerome Leonard Stavinoha, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5756780
    Abstract: Disclosed are an improvement of a process for the preparation of a purified 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl(meth)acrylate, and a stabilized 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl(meth)acrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyuichi Ohyama, Akira Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 5756862
    Abstract: A process for producing optically active 2-halo-1-(substituted phenyl)ethanol of a formula (Ia) or optically active styrene oxide of a formula (Ib). The process comprises the steps of reacting a compound of a formula (II) with phthalic anhydride to give a compound of a formula (III), performing optical resolution on the resulting compound using an optically active organic amine as a resolving agent, and finally performing hydrolysis or alcoholysis on the optically resolved compound (Ia) or (Ib). The scheme of the above process is: ##STR1## wherein X represents a halogen atom, Y represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkoxy group, Z represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3 and m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 2. The resulting optically active compounds are useful as an intermediate for medicines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kodama, Takuya Motokawa, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Masanori Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5747532
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided combinational therapeutic methods for the in vivo inactivation or inhibition of formation (either directly or indirectly) of species which induce the expression of nitric oxide synthase, as well as reducing nitric oxide levels produced as a result of .NO synthase expression. In contrast to the inhibitory approach described in the prior art (i.e., wherein the function of the enzymes responsible for nitric oxide production is inhibited), the present invention employs a combination of inactivation (or inhibition) and scavenging approach whereby the stimulus of nitric oxide synthase expression is inactivated, or the production thereof is inhibited, and overproduced nitric oxide is bound in vivo to a suitable nitric oxide scavenger. The resulting complexes render the stimulus of nitric oxide synthase expression inactive (or inhibit the production thereof), and nitric oxide harmless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Medinox, Inc.
    Inventor: Ching-San Lai
  • Patent number: 5747530
    Abstract: Novel pharmaceutically/cosmetically-active dibenzofuran compounds have the structural formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Ar is a radical having one of the formulae (II) to (VI): ##STR2## and are useful for the treatment of a wide variety of disease states, whether human or veterinary, for example dermatological, rheumatic, respiratory, cardiovascular and ophthalmological disorders, as well as for the treatment of mammalian skin and hair conditions/disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Centre International de Recherches Dermatologiques Galderma
    Inventors: Bruno Charpentier, Bruno Bernard
  • Patent number: 5744659
    Abstract: Difluoromethane is prepared by reacting dichloromethane and hydrogen fluoride in a liquid phase in the presence of a fluorination catalyst under reaction conditions in which the reaction pressure is between 1 and 10 kg/cm.sup.2 ab., and the reaction temperature is between 50 and 150.degree. C., provided that the selected reaction temperature is higher than a temperature at which hydrogen fluoride is not liquefied under the selected reaction pressure.Under the above conditions, the conversions of dichloromethane and HF are very high, and amounts of by-products other than R30 are very low, typically less than 0.1% per difluoromethane, when the unreacted materials are recycled.A material of a reactor is hardly corroded by the reaction using an antimony chlorofluoride and HF which are highly corrosive, as long as the above conditions are maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehide Tsuda, Yasufu Yamada, Takashi Shibanuma
  • Patent number: 5741946
    Abstract: Cyclic ethers are polymerized or copolymerized in homogeneous liquid phase using very low concentrations of heteropolyacid catalyst to produce essentially linear polyoxyalkylene polymers. The product of the polymerization contains less than 2 weight percent cyclic oligomer by-product and has a molecular weight distribution (M.sub.w /M.sub.n) between 1 and 2. Alcohols, acyl-containing compounds and alkalies can be used as end-caping groups to terminate polymerization or modify the properties of the polymer produced. The process produces novel polyoxyalkylene copolymers and block copolymers that are useful as lubricants. The copolymers have a high viscosity index and are compatible with mineral oil and synthetic hydrocarbon lubricants. Preferred comonomers are tetrahydrofuran, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 monoepoxides and oxetan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Liwen Wei
  • Patent number: 5741815
    Abstract: The present invention employs a scavenging approach whereby overproduced nitric oxide is bound in vivo to a suitable nitric oxide scavenger. The resulting complex renders the nitric oxide harmless, and is eventually excreted in the urine of the host. Further in accordance with the present invention, there are provided compositions and formulations useful for carrying out the above-described methods. An exemplary nitric oxide scavenger contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention is a dithiocarbamate-ferrous iron complex. This complex binds to .NO, forming a stable, water-soluble dithiocarbamate-iron-NO complex having a characteristic three-line spectrum (indicative of a mononitrosyl-Fe complex) which can readily be detected at ambient temperatures by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The present invention relates to methods for reducing in vivo levels of .NO as a means of treating subjects afflicted with inflammatory and/or infectious disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Ching-San Lai