Abstract: The racemization of optically active aminoacids (including their N-acyl derivatives) by heating with carboxylic acids takes place particularly readily with carboxylic acids of low volatility. Only catalytic quantities of acid are needed; it is advantageous to use equimolar quantities or an excess, which serves as a diluent. A reaction mixture from an enzymatic racemate resolution can be heated directly for the purpose of racemization, after separation of the L-aminoacid and the water.

Abstract: Novel N-(alpha-haloacyl)-N-hydrocarbyl carbamoyl halides and a process for their preparation are provided. The novel compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of insecticides.

Abstract: Process for preparing chlorinated ethylenic derivatives of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 represents acetyl, formyl optionally in the form of an acetal, hydroxy optionally as an ether or ester, alkyloxycarbonyl, alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms substituted by one or more acetyl, formyl optionally in the form of an acetal, hydroxy optionally in the form of an ether or ester, or alkyloxycarbonyl, alkenyl of 2 to 12 carbon atoms containing one or more double bonds optionally substituted by one or more of acetyl, formyl optionally in the form of an acetal, hydroxy optionally in the form of an ether or ester, or alkyloxycarbonyl, or R.sub.1 represents 3-sulpholenyl or a radical of formula ##STR2## in which R.sub.2 denotes a hydrogen or acetyl, by reacting chlorine in a nonpolar aprotic solvent with a compound of general formula ##STR3## in which R.sub.1 is defined as above. The products of formula I, some of which are new, are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of terpene products such as vitamin E.

Abstract: A process for the coupling of a chloroperfluoroalkane having a --CFCl.sub.2 moiety which comprises heating the alkane at a temperature of about 150.degree. to 260.degree. C. in the presence of at least about 0.1 times the molar amount each of copper and zinc at a mole ratio of copper:zinc from about 2:1 to 1:2. The product is obtained in relatively high yield and conversion.

Abstract: A process is provided for the reforming of alcohols, particularly methanol, in the presence of Group VIIA and VIIIA metal carbides at elevated temperature.

Abstract: Novel 3-hydroxy-4-alkyloxyphenyl aliphatic carboxylate compounds particularly well suited as sweeteners in foodstuff.

Abstract: 3a,6,6,9a-Tetramethylperhydronaphto[2,1-b]furan, a typical ambergris perfume ingredient is prepared via a novel process from 1.beta.-(2-hydroxyethyl)-perhydro-2,5,5,8a.beta.-tetramethyl-2.beta.-trans -naphthalenol by cyclization with an acidic cyclization agent in the presence of nitromethane.

Abstract: A process for preparing ring-halogenated vinyl aromatic monomers comprising reacting ring-halogenated (alpha- or beta-bromoethyl)benzenes or ring-halogenated (alpha- or beta-bromoethyl)toluenes with a strong aqueous alkali base in the presence of a poly(ethylene glycol) catalyst and an amine selected from the group consisting of the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl groups. The organic phase is separated, washed and neutralized and the ring-halogenated vinyl aromatic monomer is recovered.

Abstract: A method for preparing a cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]octylidene derivative represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a protective group for hydroxyl group; and Y is ##STR2## where R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom or a protective group for hydroxyl group; R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom or a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group, alkenyl group or alkynyl group; and X is a group represented by CH.dbd.CH or C.tbd.C,comprises carrying out the catalytic hydrogenation reaction of a (1-alkenyl)-cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]octene derivative represented by the formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and Y have the same meanings as defined above, in the presence of a metal carbonyl compound or its complex represented by the formula:Mw(CO)x(H)y(R)zwherein M is a metal element of the group VIB; R is a .pi. ligand or a phosphine ligand; w is 1 or 2; x is an integer of 3 to 6; y is 0 or 1; and z is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3.

Abstract: Photocurable polyacrylate or methacrylate compounds which exhibit extremely low, neat viscosities while at the same time maintaining the high cure response of other related photocurable materials may be represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, R' is C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alkyl ether alkyl and A is the residue of a diol or dicarboxylic acid, preferably, a diphenol such as Bisphenol A. The process for preparing these materials involves reacting a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 aliphatic alcohol or C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 aliphatic ether alcohol with a diglycidyl ether or ester and esterifying the remaining hydroxyl groups with acrylic or methacrylic acid.

Abstract: A novel salicylic acid ester is described, which may be combined with inorganic or organic bases to give pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Such an ester is obtained by reaction of (-) campholenic acid chloride, as prepared by a well known technique, with salicylic acid.There are, further, described pharmaceutical compositions having mucosecretolytic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic activity, which contain the novel ester or the salts thereof.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of crude terephthalic acid are purified to relatively low 4-carboxybenzaldehyde levels under hydrogenation conditions by using a layered catalyst bed. The aqueous terephthalic acid solution to be purified is first passed through a particulate primary catalyst layer constituted by palladium on active carbon and thereafter through a particulate secondary catalyst bed constituted by rhodium on active carbon.

Abstract: 2,3-Dichlorobutadiene-(1,3) is obtained from 2,3,4-trichlorobutene-1 by dehydrohalogenation in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, an inhibitor and oxygen according to an improved process in which the aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide is added to the mixture of trichlorobutene, catalyst, inhibitor and optionally water, and the reaction is carried out at a temperature of from -10.degree. to +60.degree. C. under an inert gas which contains from 0.1 to 8% by weight of oxygen.

Abstract: A continuous vapor state process for the preparation of diesters of oxalic acid from a nitrogen oxide, an alcohol and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Described are para-carboalkoxy cyclohexanones defined according to the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl and R.sub.2 represents methyl or ethyl and uses thereof in augmenting or enhancing the aroma of consumable materials including foodstuffs, chewing gums, toothpastes, medicinal products, chewing tobaccos, perfume compositions, colognes and perfumed articles (e.g., solid or liquid anionic, cationic, nonionic or zwitterionic detergents, cosmetic compositions, fabric softener compositions, fabric softener articles, hair preparations and perfumed polymers. The compounds defined according to the structure: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 ' represents C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 alkyl and R.sub.2 represents methyl or ethyl are novel compounds.

Abstract: A process for preparing aliphatic dicarboxylic acid esters from aliphatic, non-conjugated dienes via carbonylation in the presence of a homogeneous palladium-phosphine catalyst or a palladium-phosphine melt catalyst.

Abstract: The following process steps are shown: ##STR1## Intermediates I, II and IV are new. End product III is known, useful as an intermediate in the manufacture of pesticides, pharmaceuticals and dyestuffs.

Abstract: A class of polyesters comprising recurring units having certain bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenylene radicals is disclosed. The polyesters exhibit favorable solubility properties in certain organic solvents so as to facilitate the production of the polyesters via polycondensation methods to film- and fiber-forming molecular weights. Monomeric compounds comprising a bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenylene radical and useful for the production of the polyesters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new process for the stabilization of bacampicillin hydrochloride against degradation by humidity characterized by the incorporation of between 3 to 9% by weight of straight-chain alkanes, alkenes, fatty acids, alcohols, and esters of fatty acids and alcohols with molecular weights between 144 and 350, which may be carried out in one step together with wetmassing for granulation.

Abstract: An improved method for producing purified terephthalic acid by catalytic hydrogenation is disclosed. Control of the reduction of colored compounds during the production of purified terephthalic acid is effected by modulating solution hydrogen concentration during hydrogenation.