Abstract: Betaines of formula R3N+-Q-COO? (I), wherein R is C1-4 alkyl and Q is C1-4 alkanediyl, optionally substituted with hydroxy, are prepared in one step by adding an ?-halocarboxylate of formula X-Q-COOR? (II), wherein Q is as defined above, R? is C11-4 alkyl and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine, to an aqueous solution containing a tertiary amine of formula R3N (III), Wherein R is as defined above and a base selected from alkali hydroxides and alkaline earth hydroxides. The process is particularly suited to the production of L-carnitine.

Abstract: The present invention provides crystals of L-ornithine and a process for producing the crystals of L-ornithine including the steps of (i) exposing L-ornithine or a salt thereof, a composition comprising L-ornithine or a salt thereof, or a solution containing L-ornithine, a salt thereof, or the composition to a cation exchange resin to adsorb L-ornithine onto the cation exchange resin; (ii) eluting L-ornithine from the cation exchange resin on which L-ornithine is adsorbed with an aqueous alkaline solution, and removing an alkaline component from the resulting eluate to prepare an aqueous L-ornithine solution; and (iii) mixing the aqueous L-ornithine solution with a hydrophilic organic solvent, and crystallizing L-ornithine from the resulting mixed solution.

Abstract: In the method for separating and purifying a basic amino acid, preferably the basic amino acid selected from arginine, lysine or ornithine from a culture containing the amino acid, the culture containing the a basic amino acid and microbial cells, preferably the culture whose pH is 4 to 10, is charged onto the top of a column filled with a weak acid cation exchange resin whose particle size is 300 ?m or more and passed therethrough, and then an eluent is poured into the column from the top thereof whereby accomplishing the separation and the purification of the basic amino acid.

Abstract: A process and system for continuous crystallization of a compound using antisolvent addition in which a solution is prepared with an organic compound and a solvent. An antisolvent is added to the solution in a continuous plug flow system comprising at least one process module. The antisolvent can be added in multiple addition points such that the overall amount of antisolvent added to the continuous plug flow reactor remains fixed. The multiple addition point technique provides every process module with an equal volume of antisolvent. Finally, crystals are recovered from the slurry upon exiting the system. Preferably, the mean crystal size is less than 100 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to pure (R)-CMH and to the optical resolution of CMH-racemate, a key intermediate in the synthesis of (S)-Pregabalin. The invention also relates to the process for optically purifying (R)-CMH and to the process for isolating (S)-CMH from the mother liquor.

Abstract: (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine or a chemically acceptable salt thereof may be purified and separated by: (a) reacting (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine or a chemically acceptable salt thereof in a mixture with an aldehyde compound represented by formula: Q-CHO, wherein Q is an aryl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, or a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic group, each of which optionally has one or more substituents, or an equivalent form thereof to obtain a compound represented by formula (1) wherein Q is as defined above; (b) extracting the compound represented by formula (1) with an organic solvent; and (c) converting the compound represented by formula (1) to (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine or a chemically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide a method for efficiently separating and collecting an optically active amino acid amide and an optically active amino acid which are highly important substances as intermediates in the production of various industrial chemicals, agricultural chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, from an aqueous solution containing the optically active amino acid amide and the optically active amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a method for purifying an oligopeptide, which comprises a step of contacting a solution comprising the oligopeptide and a neutral amino acid with an ion exchange resin in an effective pH range; the method for purifying an oligopeptide, which comprises (a) a step of passing a solution comprising the oligopeptide and the neutral amino acid through a column packed with an ion exchange resin, and (b) a step of eluting the oligopeptide contacted with the ion exchange resin with an eluting solvent; the above method using a weakly acidic cation exchange resin; the above method using a weakly basic anion exchange resin, etc.

Abstract: Process for producing enantiopure ?-amino acid derivatives corresponding to general formula (I) R1-NZ-CHR2-CH2—COOR3 (I) in which R1 and R2 independently denote organic residues optionally forming a cyclic substituent, R3 denotes H or an organic residue, and Z represents H or an amino function-protecting group, comprising a step in which a mixture of enantiomers of a compound corresponding to general formula (II) R1-NZ-CHR2—CH2—COOR4 (II) in which R1, R2 and Z are as defined for formula (I), and R4 is an organic residue, is subjected to hydrolysis in the presence of a lipase.

Abstract: New nateglinide crystals, i. e. nateglinide A-type crystals (main peaks in powder X-ray diffraction: 4.4°, 5.2°, 15.7°, 18.5° (2?)), M-type crystals (main peaks in powder X-ray diffraction: 6.0°, 14.2°, 15.2°, 18.8° (2?)) and P-type crystals (main peaks in powder X-ray diffraction: 4.8°, 5.3°, 14.3°, 15.2° (2?)), can be produced by dissolving nateglinide in a solvent in which nateglinide is highly soluble and then adding a solvent in which nateglinide is difficultly soluble or, alternatively, by dissolving nateglinide in a mixed solvent composed of a solvent in which nateglinide is highly soluble and another solvent in which it is difficultly soluble, cooling the nateglinide solution to form crystals, filtering the mixture and drying the crystals at a specified temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of (R)-(?)-3-(carbamoylmethyl)-5- methylhexanoic acid, in particular, the resolution of the acid racemate by means of salification with optically active amines and subsequent acidification to give the (R) enantiomer of the acid; this invention also concerns the salt intermediates formed with said amines and the conversion of said (R)-(?)-3-(carbamoylmethyl)-5- methylhexanoic acid into biologically active molecules such as pregabalin.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amides is described, which is characterized in that: fresh mono- or dicarboxylic acid is placed into a first reactor (R1) connected with a distillation column (C1) and subjected to a reaction with ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine to form a pre-mixture consisting of mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amide and unreacted mono- or dicarboxylic acid, while the water of condensation is distilled off; said pre-mixture is transferred into a second reactor (R2) also equipped with a distillation column (C2) and subjected to a further reaction with ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine to substantially convert all unreacted mono- or dicarboxylic acid into mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amide; and all unreacted ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine is transferred into the first reactor (R1) to start the amidation reaction.

Abstract: In the method for separating and purifying a basic amino acid, preferably the basic amino acid selected from arginine, lysine or ornithine from a culture containing the amino acid, the culture containing the a basic amino acid and microbial cells, preferably the culture whose pH is 4 to 10, is charged onto the top of a column filled with a weak acid cation exchange resin whose particle size is 300 ?m or more and passed therethrough, and then an eluent is poured into the column from the top thereof whereby accomplishing the separation and the purification of the basic amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses Pregabalin substantially free of Lactam and a process for obtaining Pregabalin substantially free of Lactam comprising extracting an acidic mixture containing a complex of Pregabalin with a strong mineral acid, with C3-8 alcohol; and combining the organic phase with an organic base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying an amino acid contained in an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of amino acid comprising the steps of: (1) cation exchanging, which comprises subjecting an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of amino acid to a desalting purification treatment using a moving bed type continuous ion exchange apparatus comprising a cation exchange resin to obtain an aqueous solution of crude amino acid; and (2) anion exchanging, which comprises adsorbing to a weakly basic anion exchange resin an iminodicarboxylic acid, which is a coexisting by-product, in the resulting aqueous solution of crude amino acid to remove the iminodicarboxylic acid, wherein the aqueous solution of crude amino acid is passed even after adsorbing the iminodicarboxylic acid to the break through point of the weakly basic anion exchange resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for purifying theanine from an aqueous solution having a dominant cation and comprising impurities. The process comprises the steps of: introducing the aqueous solution into a column in an amount of from 2 to 20% of the column volume, wherein the column is packed with a cation exchange resin of the same cation type as the dominant cation; then introducing an aqueous mobile phase having a pH of from 2.5 to 8.5 into the column thereby to elute a zone enriched in the impurities followed by a zone enriched in theanine; and then recovering at least one fraction of the zone enriched in theanine.

Abstract: Crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.8, 18.4, 19.2, 20.7, and 23.7° 2?±0.2° 2?, methods for its preparation, its pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for the preparation of crystalline form of Pregabalin characterized by X-ray powder diffraction peaks at about 5.7, 15.4, 17.2, 18.2, and 23.0° 2?±0.2° 2?, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves intermediates, including a 7?-substituted steroid (II), and processes which are used to prepare eplerenone, a useful pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: New nateglinide crystals, i.e. nateglinide A-type crystals (main peaks in powder X-ray diffraction: 4.4°, 5.2°, 15.7°, 18.5°(2?)), M-type crystals (main peaks in powder X-ray diffraction: 6.0°, 14.2°, 15.2°, 18.8°(2?)) and P-type crystals (main peaks in powder X-ray diffraction: 4.8°, 5.3°, 14.3°, 15.2°(2?)), can be produced by dissolving nateglinide in a solvent in which nateglinide is highly soluble and then adding a solvent in which nateglinide is difficultly soluble or, alternatively, by dissolving nateglinide in a mixed solvent composed of a solvent in which nateglinide is highly soluble and another solvent in which it is difficultly soluble, cooling the nateglinide solution to form crystals, filtering the mixture and drying the crystals at a specified temperature.

Abstract: A method for separately collecting an optically active amino acid amide and an optically active amino acid from an aqueous solution containing same, together with at least one member selected from the group consisting of an acid, a base, and a salt, includes a step of neutralizing an acid or base in the aqueous solution, a desalting step of removing a salt contained in the aqueous solution and/or formed in the neutralization step, and a step of separately collecting the optically active amino acid amide/amino acid separately from the desalted aqueous solution by a process which takes advantage of a difference in solubility between the two components in an organic solvent. The desalting step is preferably performed by electrodialysis, optionally with ammonia added to the aqueous solution. The optically active amino acid amide/amino acid can be separately collected with high efficiency using an organic solvent.

Abstract: A method for reducing the particle size of amino acid crystals using ultrasound is discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid by reacting an alkali metal salt of iminodiacetic acid with phosphorus trichloride in aqueous solution with formation of the hydrochloride of iminodiacetic acid, phosphorous acid and of the corresponding alkali metal chloride, followed by reaction with a formaldehyde source and, if desired, recovery of the N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid from the reaction mixture, in which water, which may comprise HCl, is removed from the reaction mixture during and/or after reacting the alkali metal salt of iminodiacetic acid with phosphorus trichloride until the concentration of iminodiacetic acid hydrochloride is at least 40% by weight, based on the weight of the reaction mixture minus the weight of alkali metal chloride. The process makes possible the preparation of N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid in a simple fashion and in high yield.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the kinetic resolution of racemic and diastereomeric mixtures of chiral compounds. The critical elements of the method are: a non-racemic chiral tertiary-amine-containing catalyst; a racemic or diastereomeric mixture of a chiral substrate, e.g., a cyclic carbonate or cyclic carbamate; and a nucleophile, e.g., an alcohol, amine or thiol. A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for achieving the kinetic resolution of racemic and diastereomeric mixtures of derivatives of ?- and ?-amino, hydroxy, and thio carboxylic acids. In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention achieve dynamic kinetic resolution of a racemic or diastereomeric mixture of a substrate, i.e.

Abstract: An aqueous high-concentration solution of N,N-dialkylglycine, economical, easy to handle, and useful for subsequent organic chemical reactions, is provided. Also is provided a process for production thereof. The aqueous high-concentration solution of N,N-dialkylglycine which contains the N,N-dialkylglycine at a concentration of 30–80% by mass, and a metal-mineral acid salt at a content of 0.3–3% by mass can be produced industrially from an aqueous N,N-dialkylglycine alkali metal salt as the source material by the steps of (i) neutralizing an aqueous solution of an N,N-dialkylglycine alkali metal salt with a mineral acid, (ii) condensing the obtained aqueous solution by removal of water, and (iii) separating by solid-liquid separation the deposited alkali metal-mineral acid salt from the resulting slurry of the aqueous N,N-dialkylglycine solution and the alkali metal-mineral acid salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separation process of fractionating a solution comprising betaine and sucrose by subjecting said solution to chromatographic fractionation and nanofiltration and recovering a fraction enriched in betaine and optionally a fraction enriched in sucrose. The solution to be fractionated in accordance with the present invention is typically a sugar beet-derived solution, for instance a molasses solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for efficiently producing an optically active ?-amino acid and an optically active ?-amino acid amide. After contacting with cells or processed cells thereof having an ability to asymmetrically hydrolyse, a water solvent is substituted with at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, or cyclic alcohol having 3 or more carbon atoms and the optically active ?-amino acid is preferentially precipitated from the alcohol solution. The addition of basic compounds, particularly potassium compounds to the alcohol solution containing the optically active ?-amino acid amide, which is obtained after the separation of the optically active ?-amino acid, enables the purification of the amide without the inclusion of amino acid into amino acid amide. Thus, the amide is subjected to the step of racemization and then recycled.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of purifying L-glutamic acid by transformation recrystallization which method comprises maintaining crude crystals of L-glutamic acid containing ? crystals of L-glutamic acid in an aqueous solvent at a temperature of from 50° C. to the boiling point of said aqueous solvent in the coexistence of active carbon until about 30% or more of the crystals of L-glutamic acid have been transformed into ? crystals thereof, the amount of said aqueous solvent being an amount not more than the amount sufficient (i.e., an amount insufficient) to form a saturated solution of said crystals of L-glutamic acid, according to which method purified crystals of L-glutamic acid can be obtained extremely rapidly and in high yields, and remarkably conveniently and easily on an industrial scale, as compared with the conventional transformation recrystallization method which is a hitherto common purification method of L-glutamic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separation process of fractionating a solution comprising betaine and sucrose by subjecting said solution to chromatographic fractionation and nanofiltration and recovering a fraction enriched in betaine and optionally a fraction enriched in sucrose. The solution to be fractionated in accordance with the present invention is typically a sugar beet-derived solution, for instance a molasses solution.

Abstract: Methods for the separation of chaotropic and kosmotropic enantiomers within a racemic mixture are provided. Such methods comprise differentially partitioning the enantiomers into stabilized microdomains of low density water and high density water abutting a porous surface.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of gabapentin starting from gabapentin hydrochloride, which comprises the following steps: preparing a gabapentin hydrochloride aqueous solution; adjusting the pH of the solution to or about to gabapentin isoelectric point by addition of a basic compound comprising a monovalent anion; diafiltering the solution through a membrane highly selective for organic compounds with molecular weight higher than 150 and poorly selective for inorganic monovalent ions, to separate the solution into an aqueous permeate containing chloride ions and a retentate containing unsalified gabapentin substantially free from chloride ions; concentrating the retentate by increasing the pressure exerted on the membrane to obtain a concentration of unsalified gabapentin in the retentate not lower than 5%; evaporating the retentate under reduced pressure and at T°<35°; precipitating gabapentin by addition of an alcohol.

Abstract: A process for precipitating cystine from a solution in sulfuric acid, includes forming a mixture of a solution of cystine in aqueous sulfuric acid and of an aqueous solution of a base by simultaneous metering the cystine solution and the aqueous base solution into a mixing container. The metering takes place in such a way that the mixture in the container has a pH between 1.0 and 7.0 and a temperature between 30° C. and the boiling point of the mixture.

Abstract: An oxidation reaction mixture (e.g. adipic acid, benzoic acid, butenediol) and an oxidation catalyst are efficiently separated from a reaction mixture with the use of an aqueous solvent (e.g. methyl benzoate, benzonitrile) containing at least water (e.g. water) and a non-water-soluble solvent separable from the aqueous solvent, the reaction mixture being obtained by oxidizing a substrate (e.g. a hydrocarbon) in the presence of an imide compound such as N-hydroxyphthalimide shown by the following formula (1) as the oxidation catalyst, wherein R1 and R2 represents a substituent such as a hydrogen atom and a halogen atom; R1 and R2 may together form a double bond, or an aromatic or nonaromatic 5- to 12-membered ring; X stands for O or OH; and n is 1 to 3. No decomposition of the oxidation catalyst is observed in this separation process.

Abstract: Crystals of [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid which have a bulk density of 0.45 to 1.2 g/cm3, and a process for obtaining these crystals comprising the steps of adjusting an aqueous solution of an [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid metal salt to a temperature of 40 to 80° C. and a pH of 1.9 to 4.5, and cooling the solution to a temperature below 40° C. over a period of 0.2 to 10 hours while supplying a mineral acid so as to maintain the pH at 1.9 to 4.5 to precipitate [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid in a high yield.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating basic amino acids from fermentation broth comprising contacting the broth with strong acid cation exchange resins that have a low degree of cross-linkage and eluting the amino acid. The method described herein results in higher yield and higher purity of lysine, in addition to higher throughput, as compared to conventional processes of purification of lysine from fermentation broth.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the industrial production of L-carnitine, comprising the enantioselective reduction of an alkyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutyrate or 4-chloro-3-oxobutyramide. The optically active 3-hydroxy derivative thus obtained is reacted with trimethylamine, obtaining crude L-carnitine, which is then finally purified. The catalyst used for the reduction is a complex of ruthenium bound to a penta-atomic bis-heteroaromatic system. The reduction reaction, performed in controlled conditions of hydrogen pressure, substrate concentration, temperature, and substrate: catalyst molar ratio, enables 4-chloro-3-hydoxybutyrate or 4-chloro-hydroxybutyamide to be obtained in a high yield. The process described, which leads to L-carnitine being obtained, is easily applicable on an industrial scale.

Abstract: Crystals of [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid which have a bulk density of 0.45 to 1.2 g/cm3, and a process for obtaining these crystals comprising the steps of adjusting an aqueous solution of an [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid metal salt to a temperature of 40 to 80° C. and a pH of 1.9 to 4.5, and cooling the solution to a temperature below 40° C. over a period of 0.2 to 10 hours while supplying a mineral acid so as to maintain the pH at 1.9 to 4.5 to precipitate [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid in a high yield.

Abstract: A method for recovering amino acids, which comprises supplying a mixed solution containing inorganic acid salts, amino acids and non-electrolytes such as saccharides to a first-step resin layer comprising an Na type or K type strongly acidic ion exchange resin; separating an effluent into at least a first fraction containing coloring matters, acidic amino acids and ashes, a second fraction containing neutral amino acids and saccharides, and a third fraction containing betaines; supplying the second fraction to a second-step resin layer comprising at least one resin selected from the group consisting of NH4 type, Ca type and Mg type strongly acidic ion exchange resins, and optionally further supplying it to a third-step resin layer comprising an Mg type or Ca type strongly acidic ion exchange resin different from the resin of the second-step resin layer, thereby recovering various kinds of amino acids contained in an effluent.

Abstract: According to the invention, waste materials containing amido-carboxylic acid esters, which are generated during the preparation of phenyl ester salts, can be converted into amido-carboxylic acids. The recovered amido-carboxylic acid is then useful in the preparation of additional phenyl ester salt by the original preparation process or other processes known in the art. The process of the invention combines a waste material containing amido-carboxylic acid esters with an aqueous solution of a strong acid having a pH less than about 1 to form a mixture. The process heats the mixture to a temperature of at least 90° C. and maintains the mixture at that temperature for a time sufficient to hydrolyze the amido-carboxylic acid esters to amido-carboxylic acids. Sufficient base is the added to adjust the pH of the mixture to greater than about 2. The mixture is then maintained at a temperature of at least 80° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating basic amino acids from fermentation broth comprising contacting the broth with strong acid cation exchange resins that have a low degree of cross-linkage and eluting the amino acid. The method described herein results in higher yield and higher purity of lysine, in addition to higher throughput, as compared to conventional processes of purification of lysine from fermentation broth.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel process for preparing D-alloisoleucine and an improved process for epimerizing L-isoleucine to prepare D-alloisoleucine. In the former process, (2S, 3S)-tartaric acid derivative of formula I below; wherein R stands for a hydrogen atom, a C1-C3 lower alkyl group, lower alkoxy group, chlorine atom, bromine atom and nitro group; and “n” is a number of 0, 1 and 2; is combined with an epimer mixture of L-isoleucine and D-alloisoleucine in a reaction medium to form a complex of D-alloisoleucine and the compound of formula I. The precipitated complex is decomposed by putting it in an alcohol to isolate D-alloisoleucine. In the latter process, L-isoleucine is suspended in an inert solvent which does not substantially dissolve amino acids, and epimerized in the presence of C1-C5 saturated lower fatty acid and salicylaldehyde.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for retaining or enriching &ggr;-aminobutyric acid in green grass leaves, which comprises the step of subjecting green grass leaves or processed products thereof to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of incubation treatment, anaerobic treatment, and microwave treatment.

Abstract: An aminopolycarboxylate is described, which is represented by the following formula (1): 1

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation of amino acids and their salts from impurities contained in an aqueous feed solution containing the same, the process comprising: a) bringing the feed solution into contact with a substantially immiscible extractant phase comprising an amine and an acid, both of which are substantially water immiscible in both free and salt forms, to extract amino acid and salts thereof in the phase, wherein the extraction is carried out while the feed solution is within two pH units of the initial pH of the feed solution; and b) backwashing the extractant phase with a substantially neutral aqueous system to recover substantially all of the extracted amino acid and the extracted salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing vinyl GABA by submitting 5-vinylpyrrolidin-2-one to a basic hydrolysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying homocystine comprising treating crude homocystine with a base, a method for purifying homocystine comprising recovering homocystine by neutralizing an alkaline aqueous solution of crude homocystine with an acid, and a homocystine powder containing 1,000 ppm or less of a polysulfide.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of aspartic acid via a fermentation process for the preparation of ammonia fumarate, wherein the pH of the fermentation broth is controlled by the addition of a calcium base to produce a calcium fumarate precipitate, characterized in that ammonium fumarate is produced by separating the precipitated calcium fumarate from the fermentation broth, and reacting the same with a reagent selected from ammonia, ammonium carbonate, ammonia in combination with CO.sub.2 and mixtures therefore, to form ammonium fumarate and a co-product selected from calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide, wherein the energy of indirect neutralization of fumaric acid by ammonia serves as the driving force for the conversion of calcium fumarate to the desired ammonium fumarate product and for the regeneration of a calcium base reagent, and wherein diammonium fumarate is enzymatically converted to ammonium aspartate and acidulated to from aspartic acid.

Abstract: A method for purifying an amino acid selected from the group consisting of valine, leucine and isoleucine easily in high yield and with high purity using an inexpensive precipitant, comprising allowing p-ethylbenzenesulfonic acid or its water-soluble salt to act on an aqueous solution containing an amino acid to form crystals of the amino acid p-ethylbenzenesulfonate and then separating and decomposing the crystals to purify and obtain the amino acid. The p-ethylbenzenesulfonic acid may be used as the free acid, an alkali metal salt and an ammonium salt.

Abstract: A supported catalyst comprising a support, an anchoring agent such as a heteropoly acid or anion, and a metal complex which is useful in a wide variety on organic reactions, especially the hydrogenation of substituted .alpha.,.beta. unsaturated acids and esters, is provided. Various methods of preparing the supported catalyst of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the production of D,L-aspartic acid. The method comprises reacting an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or anhydride, such as, maleic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, or mixtures thereof, with excess aqueous ammonia at an elevated temperature and pressure for a time sufficient to produce diammonium D,L-aspartate. The produced diammonium D,L-aspartate is then neutralized to D,L-aspartic acid. Excess unreacted ammonia and various by-products may be recycled and re-used in the method, thereby minimizing waste and reducing cost. The produced D,L-aspartic acid may be subsequently used to make polyaspartic acid.

Abstract: Synthetic mammalian matrix metalloprotease inhibitors are disclosed that are useful for treating or preventing diseases wherein said diseases are caused by unwanted mammalian matrix metalloprotease activity and include skin disorders, keratoconus, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, wounds, cancer, angiogenesis and shock.