Abstract: This invention is a process for converting lower alkanes into their corresponding esters and optionally into various intermediates (such as alcohols) and other liquid hydrocarbons. The alkanes are oxidatively converted to oxy-esters at high selectivity and conversion and at practical reaction rates using at least catalytic amounts of certain class "B" metals and/or metal ions defined by the Pearson definition as "soft" or "borderline". Desirable catalysts comprise such metals as Pd, Tl, Pt, Hg, and Au. If so desired, the alkyl oxy-esters may be converted to alcohols or other intermediates such as alkyl halides. The oxy-esters, alcohols, and other intermediates may optionally be converted to liquid hydrocarbons such as gasoline.

Abstract: The invention concerns .alpha.,.alpha.-dialkylbenzyl derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## wherein Ar.sup.1 is phenyl or naphthyl, or a 10-membered bicyclic heterocyclic moiety containing one or two nitrogen heteroatoms and optionally containing a further heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur;A.sup.1 is a direct link to X.sup.1 or is (1-3C)alkylene;X.sup.1 is oxy, thio, sulphinyl or sulphonyl;the phenylene group may optionally bear one or two substituents R.sup.3 ;each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different, is (1-4C)alkyl, (2-4C)alkenyl, (2-4C)alkynyl, fluoro-(1-4C)alkyl, phenyl or phenyl-(1-4C)alkyl, provided that both of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are not methyl or fluoromethyl; andQ is cyano, amino, nitro, formyl, (1-4C)alkoxy, thiazolyl or (2-4C)alkanoyl;or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof;processes for their manufacture; pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention is a process for converting lower alkanes into their corresponding esters and optionally into various intermediates (such as methanol) and other liquid hydrocarbons. The alkanes are oxidatively converted to oxy-esters at high selectivity using catalytic amounts of a Group VIII noble metal. If so desired, the alkyl oxy-esters may be converted to alcohols or other intermediates such as alkyl halides. The oxy-esters, alcohols, and other intermediates may optionally be converted to liquid hydrocarbons such as gasoline.