Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of ceramides by a two step process involving conversion of a 2-hydroximino-3-oxo-alkanoate into a 2-alkanoylamido-3-oxo-alkanoate intermediate by acylation of the oxime and reduction of the oxime ester group to an amido group, followed by reduction of the keto and ester group of the intermediate to the 1,3 diol of the ceramide. The oxime acylation and the first reduction may be carried out consecutively or simultaneously. The first reduction is preferably a catalytic hydrogenation and the second reduction is preferably a borohydride reduction.The invention further relates to novel 2-alkanoylamido-3-oxo-alkanoates and 2-alkanoyloximino-3-oxo-alkanoates which are useful as intermediates for conversion into ceramides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making di(acyloxyalkyl) di(alkyl) ammonium compounds useful as fabric softeners. The corresponding di(hydroxyalkyl) tertiary amine is diesterified under conditions determined to minimize the formation of monoester side product and then the diester is quaternized under conditions effective to minimize degradation of the quaternized diester.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fabric softening material which comprises a quaternary ammonium material and at least one C.sub.8-28 alkyl or alkenyl group connected to the molecule via an ester linkage. The process comprises the step of reacting a base material with an alkyl or alkenyl group continuing material, such that at least one alkyl or alkenyl group is connected to the base material via an ester linkage. The reaction between the base material and the alkyl or alkenyl group containing material is carried out in the presence of more than 10 mole percentage excess of the alkyl or alkenyl group containing material to the base material. The excess material being effective to lower the pour point of the softener material.

Abstract: A process for the quaternization of triethanolamine fatty acid esters and imidazolinamides with customary quaternizing agents in a reaction medium containing alkoxylated naturally occurring fats or oils, or mixtures thereof with free fatty acids, monoglycerides and/or diglycerides in the substantial absence of 2-propanol, and the use of the resulting reaction mixtures as the active components in laundry softener compositions.

Abstract: A process for a high temperature, solvent free quaternization of certain tertiary amines using dimethylsulfate to produce quaternary ammonium methyl sulfates which may be used in fabric softening and other applications, is disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## in which: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which may be identical or different, represent a linear or branched (C.sub.1 C.sub.6) alkyl radical, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl radical, a pyridyl radical or a thienyl radical, or, with the carbon atom to which they are attached, a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.4 -C.sub.7) cycloalkyl ring,R.sub.3 representsa substituted or unsubstituted phenylsulfonyl radical,a linear or branched (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkyl radical,an alkylaminocarbonyl radical,or a linear or branched (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) acyl radical,R.sub.4 represents any one of the radicals:--CH.dbd.CH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p --CO.sub.2 H or --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --(CH.sub.2)p--CO.sub.2 Hin which p is equal to 0, 1, 2 or 3, n and m, which may be identical or different, represent 0, 1 or 2,their isomers, enantiomers, diastereoisomers and epimers as well as their addition salts with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fabric softening material which comprises a quaternary ammonium material and at least on C.sub.8-28 alkyl or alkenyl group connected to the molecule via an ester linkage, said method comprising the step of reacting a base material with an alkyl or alkenyl group containing material, such that at least one alkyl or alkenyl group is connected to the base material via an ester linkage, wherein the reaction between the base material and the alkyl or alkenyl group containing material is carried out in the presence of an excess of alkyl or alkenyl groups, said excess being effective to lower the pour point of the softener material.

Abstract: Quaternized esters having fabric-softening and hydrophilicizing properties are obtained by reaction of unsaturated fatty acids containing at least 40 mol-% transconfigured double bonds or esters thereof with alkanolamines and subsequent quaternization of the reaction products with alkylating agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds containing carbonate groups and carbonyl groups and having the general formula ##STR1## in which R stands for a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl radical, an aryl radical, or a radical R.sup.1, whereR.sup.1 has the following formula ##STR2## in which R.sup.2 to R.sup.6 stand for H, alkyl, OH, O-alkyl, SH, S-alkyl, halogen, N(alkyl).sub.2, or N(alkyl)(aryl) and at least one but not more than three of the radicals R.sup.2 to R.sup.6 stand for a radical of the formula ##STR3## in which A, B and C stand for alkylene, cycloalkylene, oxaalkylene, polyoxaalkylene or arylene, k and l both stand for an integer from 1 to 80, and the end group Z stands for alkyl, aryl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyloxy, or aryl.These compounds are suitable for use as emulsifiers for dispersions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunosuppressive agent which comprises at least one compound selected from the compounds of formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl, Y represents carbonyl or hydroxymethylene and represents a single bond or a double bond and their lactones, in an effective amount and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; a method of prophylaxis and therapy for suppressing rejection or autoimmune diseases which comprises administering the above-mentioned compound or its lactone in an effective amount; and a novel compound of formula ##STR2## or its lactone.

Abstract: An amphipathic compound, which includes a succinic acid moiety and an amino acid moiety and is designed so as to form a stable unilayer liposome, and a negatively charged liposome comprising said amphipathic compound as a membrane-component are disclosed. The amphipathic compound of the present invention gives liposomes which minimize the leakage of a drug encapsulated therein and scarcely undergo association, aggregation or precipitation.

Abstract: Toner particles comprising a polyester binder and a charge control agent are provided wherein such agent is a quaternary ammonium salt having one or more ester-containing moieties. Such an ester-containing salt causes toner particles to display lower fusing temperature, improved paper adhesion indexes, and improved polyester binder compatibility compared to nonesterified salts.

Abstract: Novel fat mimetic compositions are disclosed to be useful in reduced calorie foods. These compounds, which can be referred to as amide linked fat mimetics, consist of fragments bearing ester, ether, and/or amide groups joined by an aliphatic or alicyclic group through at least one amide linkage. These complex amide linked fat mimetics may be partially broken down in the body to produce digestion residues which are substantially nondigestible themselves and are sufficiently hydrophilic to enable the digestion residues to be incorporated in the normal stool. These fat mimetic compounds are useful as replacements for fats and oils for most food applications.

Abstract: Toner particles comprising a polyester binder and a charge control agent are provided wherein such agent is a quaternary ammonium salt having one or more ester-containing moieties. Such an ester-containing salt causes toner particles to display lower fusing temperature, improved paper adhesion indexes, and improved polyester binder compatibility compared to nonesterified salts.