Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a taxane-type diterpene wherein a cell and/or a tissue of a plant which produces the taxane-type diterpene is cultured in the presence of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of coronatines, a bacterium which produces the coronatines, a culture solution or a culture extract of such bacterium, cyclic polysaccharides, fatty acids, and an imino or amino derivative of jasmonic acids, then the taxane-type diterpene is recovered from the resulting cultures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polycyclic compound represented by the following formula (I):R.sup.1 --X.sup.1 --[A.sup.1 --X.sup.2 ]--[A.sup.2 --X.sup.3 ]--R.sup.2 (I)wherein R.sup.1 is a (halogenated) alkyl group of 6 to 16 carbon atoms, X.sup.1 is --O-- group or a single bond, A.sup.1 is a biphenylene group, a phenylene group or the like, A.sup.2 is 1-fluoro-3,4-dihydronaphthalene or the like, X.sup.2 and X.sup.3 are each --COO--, a single bond or the like, and R.sup.2 is an optically active group of 4 to 20 carbon atoms which has at least one asymmetric carbon atom. Also disclosed are a liquid crystal material consisting of the polycyclic compound, a liquid crystal composition comprising the liquid crystal material, and a liquid crystal element. This novel polycyclic compound is optically active and capable of being in a smectic phase in a wide temperature range including room temperature. The polycyclic compound can be used as a ferroelectric liquid crystal material or an antiferroelectric liquid crystal material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation, from e.g. anhydrovinblastine, of binary indole alkaloids effective as an anti-cancer drug, such as vinblastine, leurosidine, etc., wherein a trivalent iron source and hydride source are added in the presence of oxygen, thereby increasing a yield of an object compound. The yield of an object compound is improved still more by further addition, to the reaction system, of an oxalic acid ion source, malonic acid ion source, inorganic anion source, amino acid, etc.

Abstract: Process for preparing polyalkyl-2-alkoxy-7-hydroxychroman derivative of the general formula (V): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 denotes lower primary alkyl, R.sup.2 denotes hydrogen or lower primary alkyl and R.sup.3 denotes loweralkyl, by reacting resorcin with either an aliphatic ketone of the general formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as defined above, and an alcohol of the formula (II):R.sup.3 OH (II)wherein R.sup.3 is as defined above, in the presence of an acid catalyst, or an aliphatic ketone acetal of the general formula (III): ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined above, in the presence of an acid catalyst.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for the production of dimeric alkaloids, characterized by reacting of catharanthine with vindoline in the presence of Fe.sup.3+ and (1) removing or inactivating the Fe.sup.3+ and allowing the reaction product to react with a reducing agent or (2) allowing presence of oxygen and a dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof in the reaction system and allowing the reaction product to react with a hydride source.In accordance with this invention, such dimeric alkaloid as vinblastine, leurosidin, and 3',4'-anhydrovinblastine which are useful as antineoplastic drugs can be produced in high yields.

Abstract: A novel nitrogen-containing compound capable of preventing hardening of blood vessels by controlling formation of peroxide lipids in cell membranes, which is valuable as an anti-arteriosclerotic agent, is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are alpha-acyloxyketone derivatives which are useful as intermediates for production of N-cyano-N'-methyl-N"-[2-{(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylthio}ethyl]guani dine (common name: Cimetidine; Cimetidine applies hereinafter) and Cimetidine-related compounds which have an action of controlling secretion of gastric acid and are useful as a drug for treating gastric ulcer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cyanoguanidine derivtive which is a precursor for the synthesis of N-cyano-N'-methyl-N"-[2-{(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylothio}ethyl]-gua nidine (Cimetidine) or its relted compound, which has an action of controlling secretion of acid in the stomach based on the histamine H.sub.2 receptor antagonism and is valuable as a drug for treating gastric ulcer. This cyanoguanidine derivative is prepared by reacting a haloketone derivative with an ammonium salt and a lower fatty acid salt or by reacting other cyanoguanidine derivative with an ammonium salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cyanoguanidine derivative which is a precursor for the synthesis of N-cyano-N'-methyl-N"-[2-{(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylthio}ethyl]-guan idine (Cimetidine) or its related compound, which has an action of controlling secretion of acid in the stomach based on the histamine H.sub.2 receptor antagonism and is valuable as a drug for treating gastric ulcer. This cyanoguanidine derivative is prepared by reacting other cyanoguanidine derivative with a halogenating agent.