Abstract: The present invention provides new synthetic methods and compositions. In particular, new methods of preparing intermediates useful in the synthesis of neuraminidase inhibitors and compositions useful as intermediates that are themselves useful in the synthesis of neuraminidase inhibitors are provided.

Abstract: A process is provided for use in the conversion of alkanes into alkylene oxides, having particular utility in the conversion of propane to form propylene oxide, using a lanthanide-promoted, supported, silver catalyst prepared via precipitation. A preferred embodiment uses silver nitrate and lanthanum nitrate to form the catalyst on a BaCO3 support.

Abstract: Diels-Alder adducts of dienophiles such as epoxybutene with dienes such as cyclopentadiene and cyclohexadiene are produced by carrying out the Diels-Alder reaction thereof at an elevated pressure. Addional dienophiles disclosed include 2,5-dihydrofuran and derivatives thereof; Additional dienes include isoprene and butadiene. Compounds produced from such reactions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for stereoselective or regioselective chemical synthesis which generally comprises reacting a nucleophile and a chiral or prochiral cyclic substrate in the presence of a non-racemic, chiral catalyst to produce a stereoisomerically- and/or regioisomerically-enriched product. The present invention also relates to hydrolytic kinetic resolutions of racemic and diastereomeric mixtures of epoxides.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound having the formula: the process comprising treating a compound having the formula: with an alkyl metal species or with a Lewis acid in the presence of a tertiary amine base, wherein P2 is hydrogen or a hydroxyl protecting group.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds with the general formula Y1—A1—M1—A2—Y2 wherein Y1 and Y2 are different from each other and Y1 is an acrylate or methacrylate residue and Y2 is a vinyl ether, epoxy, or azide residue, A1 and A2 are identical or different residues with the general formula CnH2n in which n is a whole number from 0 to 20 and one or more methylene groups can be replaced by oxygen atoms, and M1 has the general formula —R1—X1—R2—X2—R3—X3—R4— wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are identical or different doubly bonded residues from the group —O—, —COO—, —CONH—, —CO—, —S—, —C≡C—, —CH═CH—, —CH═N—, —CH2—, —N═N—, and —N═N(O)—, and R2—X2—R3 can also be a C—C bond, and X1, X2, and X3 are identical or different residues from the group 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-cyclohexylen

Abstract: Continuous processes for converting cycloalkenes into ozonides in which ozone is reacted with a cycloalkene to form an ozonide solution. A portion of the solution is recycled back to the reaction, and additional cycloalkene is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of tocopherol concentrates from a material containing tocopherols and free fatty acids. The free fatty acids in the tocopherol-containing material are converted to the alkali metal salts thereof in a specific organic solvent that can not, practically, dissolve the alkali metal salts of fatty acids. The free fatty acids are removed as a precipitate of their alkali salts, and the tocopherols are recovered from the supernatant by removing the solvent. The said specific organic solvents include acetone, ethyl acetate, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile and their mixtures. The alkali salts are preferably sodium and potassium salts.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for forming combinatorial libraries. The invention provides methods suitable for the rapid and convenient synthesis of very large combinatorial libraries of small organic molecules. In particular, the invention provides a method for forming combinatorial libraries combining amide bond formation with epoxide opening.

Abstract: A catalyst of the formula (1) for the synthesis of alkylene carbonate by reacting alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide LmMXn  (1) wherein L is selected from a group of pyridines; M is a metal atom selected from Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb and In; X is a halogen atom selected from Cl, Br and I; m is 1 or 2, and n is 2 or 3.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound having structure (I) wherein n is an integer from 1-5; each of R1 and R2 independently is optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; each of W and X is independently hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; Y is O, S or NR3 where R3 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or a protective group; and Z is a CD ring structure, a steroid structure, or a vitamin D structure, each of which optionally having structure (IV) wherein W, X, Y and Z are defined above, in the presence of a base, with a compound having structure (V) or (v′) wherein n, R1 and R2 are as defined above, and E is an eliminating group.

Abstract: Glycerol is nitrated with at least one nitrating source in a solvent to form a nitrated glycerol solution containing dinitroglycerin. The nitrated glycerol solution is treated with at least one cyclizing agent to convert the dinitroglycerin into glycidyl nitrate, which is polymerized into poly(glycidyl nitrate) (PGN). Distillation or other vaporization techniques are not required to remove nitroglycerin from the glycidyl nitrate prior to polymerization of the glycidyl nitrate. Rather, the nitroglycerin can be carried along with the dinitroglycerin during polymerization. As a consequence, the glycidyl nitrate is not exposed to elevated temperatures sufficient to cause accidental explosion or deflagration of the nitrate ester. Still more preferably, the glycidyl nitrate is not heated above room temperature at any time prior to polymerization. Moreover, given the high energy performance of nitroglycerin, the nitroglycerin can optionally be retained with the PGN, i.e.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a process for producing an &agr;-aminohalomethyl ketone derivative which comprises subjecting to catalytic reduction the corresponding &agr;-aminodihalomethyl ketone derivative, and which process is efficient and suited for industrial production thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of high quality threo-1,2-epoxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutane derivatives (1) on a commercial scale in a simple, easy and efficient manner and with very high productivity, which comprises treating a threo-1-halo-2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutane derivative (2) with a base in a polar organic solvent or a solvent composed of a polar organic solvent and water, and adding the resulting reaction mixture to water to thereby cause the resulting threo-1,2-epoxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutane derivative (1) to crystallize out.

Abstract: A complex catalyst for asymmetric epoxidation of enones, which comprises:

Abstract: An industrial and economical method for obtaining a (S)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol, which comprises cultivating a microorganism belonging to the genus. Pseudomonas which has an ability to assimilate (R)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol and can grow by assimilating (R)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol as a single carbon source, in a culture medium containing a racemic 3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol as a substrate, and isolating the (S)-3-halogeno-1,2-propanediol from the culture medium.

Abstract: A resilient polyurethane foam produced by using a polyether polyol produced by reacting alkylene oxides with a polyhydroxy compound having at least 2 hydroxyl groups as an initiator in the presence of the catalyst for alkylene oxide ring-opening polymerization of the present invention, which is excellent in foam physical properties, vibration characteristics and molding properties.

Abstract: A method for making cyclopentene derivatives of the formula (IX): by acidolysis of an intermediate epoxide of formula (VIII): is described.

Abstract: Processes for the selective preparation of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EpB) to 1,2-epoxy-butane (butylene oxide-BO) in the presence of the supported catalysts, comprising one or more Group VIII metals deposited on the support materials which have micropores filled with one or more inorganic oxides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for stereoselective or regioselective chemical synthesis which generally comprises reacting a nucleophile and a chiral or prochiral cyclic substrate in the presence of a non-racemic, chiral catalyst to produce a stereoisomerically- and/or regioisomerically-enriched product. The present invention also relates to hydrolytic kinetic resolutions of racemic and diastereomeric mixtures of epoxides.

Abstract: The invention is directed to new double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts, a process for the preparation of these catalysts, and to a process for the preparation of polyetherpolyols by the polyaddition of alkylene oxides to starter compounds which contain active hydrogen atoms, wherein the catalyst comprises the novel double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst of the present invention. These new double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts comprise a) one or more double metal cyanide compounds, b) one or more organic complex ligands, and c) one or more cyclodextrins, with the proviso that b) and c) are different compounds. The catalysts of this invention exhibit greatly increased activity during preparation of a polyetherpolyol.

Abstract: A substituted cyclopentene derivative of the formula (VII): wherein R is a hydrogen atom, alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl radical having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, alkynyl radical having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl radical having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, aralkyl radical having 7 to 19 carbon atoms, aryl radical having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, alkoxy radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyloxy radical having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, alkylthio radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or alkenylthio radical having 2 to 6 carbon atoms; X1 is (&agr;-OZa, &bgr;-H) or (&agr;-H, &bgr;-OZa), X3 is (&agr;-OZd, &bgr;-H), (&agr;-H, &bgr;-OZd) or oxygen atom, each of Za and Zd, which may be the same or different, is a hydrogen atom or a protective radical for a hydroxyl radical.

Abstract: 2,3-Epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride having reduced color and method of preparation are disclosed. 2,3-Epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride is treated with sodium hypochlorite to reduce its color. 2,3-Epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride can be prepared via reaction of trimethylamine and epichlorohydrin. If desired, an aprotic solvent can be used. 2,3-Epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride formed in the resultant slurry, must then be isolated via known methods, such as evaporation, extraction, centrifugation, etc, depending upon the other constituents of the slurry and the residual epichlorohydrin removed. The final product is then treated with an effective amount of sodium hypochlorite. The obtained 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride then is used for, for example, color-sensitive applications such as to produce cationic starch for use in paper manufacture.

Abstract: A vegetable oil-based polyol is made by adding a peroxyacid to vegetable oil wherein said peroxyacid reacts with said vegetable oil to form epoxidized vegetable oil and adding said epoxidized vegetable oil to a mixture of an alcohol, water, and a catalytic amount of fluoboric acid so as to form a vegetable oil-based polyol. A further embodiment of the present invention involves making a vegetable oil-based polyol using an epoxidized vegetable oil as the starting material. The epoxidized vegetable oil undergoes hydroxylation by the same process as outlined above. According to another aspect of the present invention, the vegetable oil-based polyol formed by the novel methods of this invention may be reacted with an isocyanate to form a polyurethane. Alternatively, a filler such as silica may be combined with the vegetable oil-based polyol before it is reacted with the isocyanate. These polyurethanes made from vegetable oil-based polyols may be used to form electroinsulating casting resins.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel crystalline molecular sieves having the framework of ETS-10 titanium silicate which contain both octahedral and tetrahedral titanium atoms and are in acid form. The sieves are prepared by adding a complexing agent such as hydrogen peroxide during synthesis or by treating a synthesized titanium silicate molecular sieve with a reagent that replaces tetrahedral silicon with tetrahedral titanium atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to silver-containing and optionally promoter-containing supported catalysts and catalyst intermediates, processes for their preparation and their use for preparing alkylene oxides by oxidation of alkenes with oxygen. The catalysts are prepared by treatment of a support with a lactic acid containing silver ions, nitrate ions and optionally promoter metal ions, drying, predecomposition in a virtually oxygen-free atmosphere and subsequent activation by heating in an oxygen-containing atmosphere while precisely controlling the temperature conditions and the feeding-in of oxygen. The catalyst intermediates obtainable by treatment, drying and only predecomposition can be activated in a temporally and physically separate process step to form the actual catalysts. Suitable promoters are alkaline earth metal compounds and/or alkali metal compounds. High activities and high selectivities are achieved when using the catalysts of the invention for preparing alkylene oxides.

Abstract: 1,2-epoxy-5,9-cyclododecadiene is produced with a high selectivity thereto by epoxidizing 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene in a continuous multi-stage oxidation apparatus having a plurality of reactors connected to each other in series in such a manner that (1) in a first reactor, 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene, hydrogen peroxide, catalyst components and optionally a mineral acid are subjected to an epoxidation reaction; (2) the resultant reaction mixture delivered from the first reactor is passed through one or more succeeding reactors to further epoxidize the non-reacted 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene with the non-reacted hydrogen peroxide; and (3) the final reaction mixture produced in a rearend reactor is delivered from the oxidation apparatus, and optionally subjected to an isolation-refining procedure wherein the target 1,2-epoxy-5,9-cyclododecadiene is refined and collected and the non-reacted 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene is recovered and recycled to the epoxidation procedure.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacture of organic products, particularly chemical intermediates, by oxidation of organic feedstocks. A membrane unit containing a membrane selectively permeable to the organic over argon is used to recover the feedstock from the argon purge stream.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1,2-butylene oxide by catalytic hydrogenation of vinyloxirane over a heterogeneous catalyst comprises using a catalyst comprising an element of subgroup I, VII or VIII of the periodic table, or mixtures of a plurality of these elements, in the presence or absence of one or more promoter elements, these elements and promoters having been applied by means of a vacuum vapor deposition technique to a support of metal foil or metal wire fabric.

Abstract: A process for preparation of a glycidyl sulfonate derivative with high purity and in high yield, which is characterized in reacting glycidol which is prepared from treating 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol in an aqueous solvent in the basic condition, without isolating the resulting glycidol with a sulfonyl halide in a two phase solvent consisting of an organic solvent and water in the presence of an inorganic base and a tertiary amine or a pyridine derivative.

Abstract: 1,6-Hexanediol is prepared bya) Reacting epoxybutadiene in the presence of a metathesis catalyst with elimination of ethene to give bisepoxyhexatrienes of the formulae Ia and Ib ##STR1## and b) hydrogenating these bisepoxyhexatrienes with hydrogen to give 1,6-hexanediol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for stereoselective or regioselective chemical synthesis which generally comprises reacting a nucleophile and a chiral or prochiral cyclic substrate in the presence of a non-racemic chiral catalyst to produce a stereoisomerically or regioselectively enriched product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting fouling during caustic washing of a propylene oxide product stream comprising treating a solution comprising a propylene oxide product stream and a caustic wash under conditions and with an amount of an amine effective to inhibit said fouling.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1,2-butylene oxide by catalytic hydrogenation of vinyloxirane over a heterogeneous catalyst comprises using a catalyst comprising an element of subgroup I, VII or VIII of the periodic table, or mixtures of a plurality of these elements, in the presence or absence of one or more promoter elements, these elements and promoters having been applied by means of a vacuum vapor deposition technique to a support of metal foil or metal wire fabric.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for ethylene oxide production. A membrane unit containing a membrane selectively permeable to ethylene over argon is used to recover ethylene from the argon purge stream.

Abstract: Improved double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts useful for making epoxide polymers are disclosed. One catalyst is a paste of a double metal cyanide (DMC) compound, an organic complexing agent, and water. The paste comprises at least about 90 wt. % of particles having a particle size within the range of about 0.1 to about 10 microns as measured by light scattering in polyether polyol dispersions of the catalyst particles. Preferred catalysts have a bimodal particle size distribution. The paste catalyst is more active and simpler to prepare than powder DMC catalysts. Polyols made from the paste catalyst have low unsaturations, low viscosities, and narrow molecular weight distributions, and are useful in making a variety of polyurethane products.

Abstract: A suitably functionalized cycloaliphatic nitrile oxide can be used to convert unsaturated sites to alcohol or epoxy sites. The cycloaliphatic nitrile oxide may be useful in applications such as the preparation of polycarbonates, polyurethanes, or crosslinked polybutadiene, or poly(styrene-butadiene). The cycloaliphatic nitrile oxide is represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R' and each R are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, or halo; X and X' are independently hydrogen, halo, hydroxyl, or together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an epoxy group, with the proviso that at least one of X and X' is not hydrogen; and n is 1 or 2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process wherein glycerol, glycidol or 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol is polymerized in the presence of an acid zeolite having an average pore size of at least 0.6 nanometer at 150.degree.-250.degree. C. At least 50 wt. % of cyclic polymers are obtained.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing a substrate susceptible to nucleophilic oxidation by reacting a bicaroate or monopersulfate solution with the substrate is disclosed. In one aspect, the substrate is introduced into the reaction mixture in an inert carrier gas, which can also serve to sweep the product out of the mixture. In a second aspect the oxidation solution is obtained by a two stage neutralization of a Caro's acid solution, the first stage to e.g. 0.5 to 2.0 and the second stage to about 7 to 9. In preferred embodiments, the substrate is introduced into partially neutralized Caro's acid, and the second stage neutralization in the presence of the substrate is most preferably carried out with an alkali salt such as sodium bicarbonate. The process can employ relatively low ratios of substrate: Caro's acid oxidant and homogeneous reaction conditions. The process is particularly useful for preparing dioxiranes from ketones.

Abstract: A process for producing 3,4-caranediol of the formula [I] includes subjecting 3,4-epoxycarane, which is obtained by epoxidizing 3-carene under specific conditions, to a hydration reaction in the presence of a base catalyst in aqueous ethanol under pressure to obtain 3,4-caranediol.

Abstract: A quaternary ammonium halide is prepared by reacting a substituted or unsubstituted haloalkane with a tert-amine in a mol ratio not higher than 1.1/1 in the absence of a solvent and at a temperature such as to maintain the reaction mixture liquid.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a taxol intermediate comprising contacting an alcohol with an oxazinone having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or OR.sub.7 wherein R.sub.7 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R.sub.2 and R.sub.5 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and OR.sub.8 wherein R.sub.8 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or hydroxyl protecting group; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.6 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl.

Abstract: Compositions (I), (II) and (III) comprising compounds having vinyl groups as side chains and epoxidized compositions (XI), (XII) and (XIII) thereof, which can be prepared by the various reaction combinations of (a) with (b) or (b)+(c), and or (d), where(a) is at least one compound having at least one vinyl group and one epoxy group in the molecule; (b) is at least one of a polybasic compound, an anhydride thereof, a polymer having carboxylic groups at terminals and a polymer having carboxylic groups as side chains; (c) is at least one organic compound having at least one active hydrogen atom; and (d) is at east one of an unsaturated monocarboxylic compound or an unsaturated monocarboxylic ester having a hydroxyl group.

Abstract: The present invention provides special epoxy derivative (1), cyclohexanone derivative (2), cyclohexenone derivative (3) and 3-substituted cyclohexenone derivative (4) which are useful as intermediates for synthesizing physiologically active materials, and a method for stereoselectively introducing substituted groups. Further, the present invention provides a method for synthesizing optically active compounds, such as optically active carvone via these intermediates.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a taxol intermediate comprising contacting an alcohol with an oxazinone having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or OR.sub.7 wherein R.sub.7 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R.sub.2 and R.sub.5 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and OR.sub.8 wherein R.sub.8 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or hydroxyl protecting group; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.6 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl.

Abstract: A process for the production of epoxide ring opening products having a defined residual epoxide oxygen content by reaction of epoxides with nucleophiles in the presence of medium-strength acids is provided. The products have a defined residual epoxide oxygen content of 10 to 80% by weight based on the epoxide. In the process, aliphatic epoxidized olefins or aliphatic epoxidized esters are reacted with nucleophiles in the presence of 1 to 4 g phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, or hypophosphorous acid per mol epoxide and the ring opening product is directly obtained without neutralization of the catalyst acid.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for the asymmetric synthesis of florfenicol, thiamphenicol or chloramphenicol, from a derivative of trans-cinnamic acid, comprising the steps:(a) converting the acid to an acid chloride using a chlorinating agent, and reducing the acid chloride to a trans allylic alcohol with a reducing agent;(b) asymmetrically epoxidizing the allylic alcohol of step (a), by reacting with t-butylhydroperoxide in the presence of a chiral epoxidation catalyst prepared from titanium (IV) isopropoxide and L-diisopropyltartaric acid, to form a chiral epoxide;(c) regioselectively opening the epoxide of step (b) by sequentially treating with sodium hydride, zinc chloride and dichloroacetonitrile to form an oxazoline;(d) stereoselective inversion/isomerization of the oxazoline of step (c) by sequentially treating with: (i) a lower alkylsulfonyl chloride and a tertiary amine base; (ii) sulfuric acid and water; (iii) an alkali metal hydroxide; to form an oxazoline;(e) optionally treating the ox

Abstract: A method of recovering optically active epoxy alcohols from asymmetric epoxidation reaction mixture is provided whereby the epoxy alcohol may be obtained in high yield with minimal degradation of optical purity. The process is also suitable for the synthesis of useful organic sulfonate derivatives of chiral epoxy alcohols.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the synthesis of 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid that utilizes 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene.

Abstract: Isotactic poly(glycidyl nitrate) useful in solid propellants is produced by polymerizing chiral (R) glycidyl nitrate or its enantiomer, (S) glycidyl nitrate. Chiral (R) glycidyl nitrate or its enantiomer is prepared by sequential treatment of chiral (S) glycidyl tosylate or its enantiomer with nitric acid and sodium hydroxide. Chiral (S) glycidyl tosylate or its enantiomer, (R) glycidyl tosylate, can be produced by Sharpless epoxidation of allyl alcohol or by direct tosylation or commercially available chiral glycidol. Likewise, chiral (R) glycidyl nitrate or its enantiomer, (S) glycidyl nitrate, can be prepared directly via nitration of (S) or (R) glycidol, respectively.