Abstract: A process of producing benzoic acids from phthalimides is described. The ability to dramatically reduce the reaction time in comparison to currently practiced processes by the addition of readily available compounds is demonstrated.

Abstract: Palladium-catalyzed arylation of an olefin (e.g., ethylene) with an aromatic halide (e.g., 2-bromo-6-methoxynaphthalene, m-bromobenzophenone, or 4-isobutyl-1-bromobenzene) is conducted in specified media. After a special acid or base phase separation procedure, palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of the olefinically-substituted aromatic intermediate is conducted in specified media using CO and water or an alcohol to form arylalkylcarboxylic acid or ester or substituted arylalkylcarboxylic acid or ester (e.g., racemic 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid, 2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid, or 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid). Catalyst recovery procedures enabling recycle of catalyst residues and efficient recovery of amine hydrogen halide scavenger and solvent used in the arylation reaction are described, as well as novel, highly efficient methods of conducting the carbonylation reaction.

Abstract: The co-formation of diarylalkane by-product in the chloroalkylation of an aromatic compound with an aldehyde is minimized by conducting the reaction in a continuous manner in a concentration with agitation and in the presence of both hydrogen sulfate and hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a substantially pure enantiomer of an aryl-substituted aliphatic carboxylic acid is described. The process utilizes first an enantiomerically enriched mixture the of aryl-substituted aliphatic carboxylic acid obtained from kinetic resolution, diastereomeric crystallization or asymmetric synthesis processes. This enriched mixture is reacted with a base producing a salt that has the following properties:1) has at least one eutectic point;2) a composition that is not at the eutectic point; and3) a eutectic composition that is closer to the racemic composition than is the eutectic composition of said aryl-substituted carboxylic acid.Substantially pure, enantiomeric salt is separated, leaving a mother liquor comprising the solvent and aryl-substituted aliphatic carboxylic acid enriched in the other enantiomer.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a substantially pure enantiomer of an aryl-substituted aliphatic carboxylic acid is described. The process utilizes first an enantiomerically enriched mixture the of aryl-substituted aliphatic carboxylic acid obtained from kinetic resolution, diastereomeric crystallization or asymmetric synthesis processes. This enriched mixture is reacted with a base producing a salt that has the following properties:(1) has at least one eutectic point;(2) a composition that is not at the eutectic point; and(3) a eutectic composition that is closer to the racemic composition than is the eutectic composition of said aryl-substituted carboxylic acid.Substantially pure, enantiomeric salt is separated, leaving a mother liquor comprising the solvent and aryl-substituted aliphatic carboxylic acid enriched in the other enantiomer.

Abstract: A process for preparing ibuprofen is described. The improved process involves the treatment of spent palladium carbonylation catalyst with oxygen at about 300.degree. C. to about 850.degree. C. The treated material then used with a phosphine ligand to carbonylate 1-halo-1-(4-isobutyl-phenyl)ethane, 1-hydroxyl-1-(4-isobutylphenyl)ethane, or isobutylstyrene to produce ibuprofen.