Abstract: A method for making aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharides having pendant aldehyde groups is described. The method involves the hydroformylation of an alkene-functionalized polysaccharide. The resulting aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharides are useful for forming hydrogel tissue adhesives and sealants for medical applications.

Abstract: A method is provided for the thermal decarboxylation of a phenolic substrate in the presence of a non-amine basic catalyst to produce a vinyl monomer. The product of the decarboxylation reaction may additionally be acetylated in the presence of an acetylating agent in the same reaction vessel.

Abstract: A method for preparing p-(2-hydroxyalkyloxy)styrene monomers and oligomers is described. The method comprises a base-catalyzed reaction of a styrene ester, a suitable alcohol and an alkylene oxide in a single vessel reaction. In this method, the reactive p-hydroxystyrene is generated in situ via the base-catalyzed transesterification reaction between the styrene ester and the alcohol in the presence of the base catalyst. The p-hydroxystyrene formed reacts with the alkylene oxide to form the p-(2-hydroxyalkyloxy)styrene monomer or oligomer.

Abstract: Complexes of a selected class of chiral ligands with molybdenum, tungsten or chromium, preferably molybdenum, are effective as catalysts in highly enantioselective and regioselective alkylation of allylic substrates. Such compositions provide a versatile and low-cost alternative to existing catalysts.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of aldehydes with donor molecules selected from ketones and nitroalkyl compounds. The reactions employ as catalyst a Group 2A or Group 2B metal complex of a ligand of formula I, as defined further herein.

Abstract: Complexes of a selected class of chiral ligands with molybdenum, tungsten or chromium, preferably molybdenum, are effective as catalysts in highly enantioselective and regioselective alkylation of allylic substrates.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of aldehydes with donor molecules selected from ketones and nitroalkyl compounds. The reactions employ as catalyst a Group 2A or Group 2B metal complex of a ligand of formula I, as defined further herein.

Abstract: Complexes of a selected class of chiral ligands with molybdenum, tungsten or chromium, preferably molybdenum, are effective as catalysts in highly enantioselective and regioselective alkylation of allylic substrates.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of aldehydes with donor molecules selected from ketones and nitroalkyl compounds. The reactions employ as catalyst a Group 2A or Group 2B metal complex of a ligand of formula I, as defined further herein.

Abstract: Complexes of a selected class of chiral ligands with molybdenum, tungsten or chromium, preferably molybdenum, are effective as catalysts in highly enantioselective and regioselective alkylation of allylic substrates.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for preparing 3-hydroxymethylcyclopentanone compounds, which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of HIV chemokine CCR-5 receptor antagonists. A process is described in which the compounds are prepared by opening the cyclopropyl ring of a (1-alkoxycarbonyl-2-oxo)-trans-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane compound by addition of a nucleophile to the cyclopropyl ring, and then decarboxylating the resulting 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3-(Nu-methyl)-cyclopentanone (Nu=the added nucleophilic group) via base solvolysis. Also described is a process for preparing the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane precursors by the catalyzed cyclopropanation of a suitable alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester. The preparation of the alpha-diazo-beta-ketoesters and precursors thereto are also disclosed.

Abstract: Complexes of a selected class of chiral ligands with molybdenum, tungsten or chromium, preferably molybdenum, are effective as catalysts in highly enantioselective and regioselective alkylation of allylic substrates.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of aldehydes with donor molecules selected from ketones and nitroalkyl compounds. The reactions employ as catalyst a Group 2A or Group 2B metal complex of a ligand of formula I, as defined further herein.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for preparing 3-hydroxymethylcyclopentanone compounds, which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of HIV chemokine CCR-5 receptor antagonists. A process is described in which the compounds are prepared by opening the cyclopropyl ring of a (1-alkoxycarbonyl-2-oxo)-trans-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane compound by addition of a nucleophile to the cyclopropyl ring, and then decarboxylating the resulting 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3-(Nu-methyl)-cyclopentanone (Nu=the added nucleophilic group) via base solvolysis. Also described is a process for preparing the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane precursors by the catalyzed cyclopropanation of a suitable alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester. The preparation of the alpha-diazo-beta-ketoesters and precursors thereto are also disclosed.

Abstract: Complexes of a selected class of chiral ligands with molybdenum, tungsten or chromium, preferably molybdenum, are effective as catalysts in highly enantioselective and regioselective alkylation of allylic substrates. Such compositions provide a versatile and low-cost alternative to existing catalysts.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the preparation of enantiomerically enriched .alpha.,.alpha.-disubstituted amino acid precursors are presented. Briefly, allylic electrophiles are alkylated with oxazolones in the presence of a base and catalytic quantities of a transition metal complex incorporating a chiral phosphine ligand to yield 4,4-disubstituted-5(4H)-oxazolones. These precursors may be subsequently transformed either synthetically or enzymatically to yield enantiomerically enriched .alpha.,.alpha.-disubstituted amino acids.

Abstract: A novel ligand having the Formula 1 structure has proved remarkably successful in the amination of butadiene monoepoxide, which is a potentially desirable substrate for an asymmetric synthesis providing access to each enantiomer of vinylglycinol. ##STR1## This and other ligands described are useful for chiral induction of bond forming reactions with an epoxide substrate.

Abstract: A method for extracting mint oil from mint plants, the method includes applying a surfactant on the plant material and subjecting the plant material to steam distillation.

Abstract: Ligands useful for transition metal catalyzed bond forming reactions are provided with a metal binding portion having at least one metal binding moiety ##STR1## wherein Ar and Ar' each is an aryl or a heteroaryl. These ligands may be prepared by providing an aromatic carboxylic acid having a diarylphosphino or diheteroarylphosphino substituent on the aromatic ring, and forming an ester or an amide derivative of the carboxylic acid by coupling with a chiral diol or a chiral diamine. The ligands facilitate, for example, flexible strategies for enantiocontrolled construction of five membered carbocyclic rings with varying substitution patterns and high enantioselectivity.

Abstract: An alkylative cycloaddition method is provided that is particularly useful for the synthesis of many of the Vitamin D analogues with differing side chains. Thus, a preferred synthesis is of Vitamin D analogues having a side chain R.sub.1 where a first precursor having the structure ##STR1## with X being a halide or a pseudo halide, and a second precursor are provided, the second precursor being a 1,7 enyne. These precursors are reacted in the presence of a palladium catalyst to form compounds having the structure ##STR2## where R.sub.2 is hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, fluorine, or a protecting group, and R.sub.3 is hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, fluorine, or a protecting group.