Abstract: The invention relates to processes, which can be performed on an industrial scale, for the production of norgalanthamine, norgalanthamine derivatives and isomers thereof of general formula (A) as well as salts or hydrates thereof with general formula (B). As processes for the production of compounds with general formula (A) or (B), an oxidative demethylation and a catalytic demethylation of the corresponding galanthamine compounds are indicated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing amino acids by reacting halogenated carboxylic acid ester (haloacid esters) with a metal cyanate in the presence of an alcohol and by subsequent acidic saponification of the urethane carbonic acid formed. The method is characterized by the metal cyanate being placed at an elevated temperature in an organic solvent and the other reactants being continuously charged into the mixture over a defined time period.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing amino acids by reacting halogenated carboxylic acid ester (haloacid esters) with a metal cyanate in the presence of an alcohol and by subsequent acidic saponification of the urethane carbonic acid formed. The method is characterized by the metal cyanate being placed at an elevated temperature in an organic solvent and the other reactants being continuously charged into the mixture over a defined time period.

Abstract: Cyanoacetamide is prepared without additional catalyst by esterification of crude cyanoacetic acid with a monohydric alcohol which forms an azeotrope with water and has 4 to 10 carbon atoms, reacting the resulting ester with ammonia in the presence of a basic catalyst to give cyanoacetamide, and work-up by a mechanical separating operation and a thermal treatment.

Abstract: Cyanoacetamide is prepared without additional catalyst by esterification of crude cyanoacetic acid with a monohydric alcohol which forms an azeotrope with water and has 4 to 10 carbon atoms, reacting the resulting ester with ammonia in the presence of a basic catalyst to give cyanoacetamide, and work-up by a mechanical separating operation and a thermal treatment.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of cyclopropanamine by Hofmann degradation of cyclopropanecarboxamide, comprising the following steps:(1) suspending cyclopropanecarboxamide, either (A) in 1.1 to 4 mol of sodium hydroxide, in solution whose concentration is 10 to 50%, per mol of amide, or (B) in a sparing amount of water,(2) adding 1 to 1.5 mol of hypochlorite, per mol of amide, from a 5 to 15% strength hypochlorite solution at a temperature of 0.degree. to 20.degree. C.,(3) adding 1.1 to 4 mol of sodium hydroxide, in solution whose concentration is 10 to 50%, per mol of amide, in the case where a suspension has been formed according to step (1)(B),(4) reacting the amide, hypochlorite, and sodium hydroxide for 10 to 60 minutes to form a homogeneous reaction mixture,(5) continuously passing the homogeneous reaction mixture through a tubular reactor at a temperature of 45.degree. to 260.degree. C.