Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of mono-, di-, or trisubstituted acetic acids including 5-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-2,2-dimethylpentanoic acid by a novel synthesis is described where a carboxylic acid is converted to a soluble metalated magnesium or zinc carboxylate containing a ligand and subsequent alkylation of this intermediate in the presence of an alkali amide to afford the desired product in two steps.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing biaryl, bidentate ligands comprising:(1) contacting a biaryl compound having the structural formula: ##STR1## with a proton abstracting agent under conditions suitable to form a biaryl dianion, which is then(2) contacted with a Group V compound of the formula: ##STR2## where X' is halogen or a suitable leaving group.

Abstract: New pharmaceutical composition based on valproic acid and one of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, obtained by a new galenic preparation process which makes it possible to improve and simplify the galenic production, this composition also containing excipients which favorably modify its kinetics and its bioavailability.

Abstract: A process for the separation of a racemic mixture of certain aliphatic carboxylic acids or esters thereof is disclosed. The process comprises (i) forming a salt solution comprising said racemic mixture of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched aliphatic carboxylic acid and an organic or inorganic base (ii) treating said salt solution with one-half molar equivalent of a chiral organic nitrogenous base having a base strength no stronger than said organic or inorganic base (iii) precipitating from the reaction solution formed in step (ii) the less soluble diastereomeric salt and (iv) separating said precipitated diastereomeric salt.

Abstract: This invention concerns certain diethyl- or dipropylacetic acid salts of sodium valproate which have physiological properties similar to those of valproic acid or sodium valproate but show highly superior stability characteristics.

Abstract: An improved method for dehydration and concentration of an aqueous solution containing an organic compound is disclosed. The solution is evaporated to produce a gaseous mixture comprising an organic compound vapor and a water vapor. The water vapor is selectively removed from the gaseous mixture by permeation through an aromatic polyimide gas separation membrane while the gaseous mixture being kept in contact with a surface on one side of the gas separation membrane at a temperature of 70.degree. C. or higher to obtain a gaseous mixture comprising the organic compound vapor and a reduced amount of a water vapor.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active carboxylic acid represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, and R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or a phenyl or naphthyl group which may have a substituent, provided that all of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are not simultaneously a hydrogen atom; when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are simultaneously a hydrogen atom, then R.sup.3 is not a methyl group; and that when R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom, then R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each a group other then a hydrogen atom,is disclosed, comprising asymmetrically hydrogenating an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are the same as defined above, in the presence of a ruthenium-optically active phosphine complex as a catalyst.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of an optically active carboxylic acid or ester derivative thereof from a ketene and an optically active .alpha.-hydroxyester or an .alpha.-hydroxy amide.

Abstract: A process for the production of organic carboxylic acids by the catalytic reaction of organic formate esters in contact with carbon monoxide and a homogeneous catalyst system of rhodium metal atom, a phosphorus containing ligand in which there is present at least one oxo oxygen atom attached to a phosphorus atom or a carbon atom to form a Z group and the ##STR1## group in said Z group is located at least one carbon atom removed and preferably from 2-4 carbon atoms removed from the phosphorus atom of the molecules represented by the formulas ##STR2## and a halogen source, under mild reaction conditions, wherein R' is H, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl or alkyl, and wherein 1 or more of said R' groups can be substituted with a Z group but not more than 3 of said R' groups in the molecule are so substituted; a is an integer from 0-4; b is an integer from 0-3; and Z is P(O)R'R'; --C(O)OR" or C(O)R", wherein R" is R'.

Abstract: A catalytic process for the production of mercaptans from thioethers, which comprises reacting a thioether, in which the sulfur atom of the thioether function is bonded, on the one hand to a tertiary carbon atom and, on the other hand, to a primary or secondary carbon atom, with hydrogen sulfide in the presence of an appropriate acid catalyst, especially an aluminosilicate or an ion-exchange resin.

Abstract: A process for converting formic acid esters or transesterification products thereof to carboxylic acids comprising contacting a formic acid ester of the formula (HCOO).sub.n --R where R is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aralkyl and n is 1 or 2 with a catalytically effective amount of a soluble iridium salt and an iodide promoter at a temperature of from about 100.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. in the presence of an organic solvent containing at least one carboxylic acid.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel catalyst composed of a complex of an organic acid or its ester and a Lewis acid, preferably boron trichloride that can add olefin monomers to increase the molecular weight of the complex from as low as 200 to in excess of a million, with the complex being active viz., living, until the complex dies, viz., is decomposed or destroyed so that polymers in the liquid or easily liquefiable range of 300 to about 20,000 can be made or those more difficult to be liquefied or unliquefiable, viz., those of over 10,000 up to 100,000 or in some cases 500,000 and then those in the range of the elastomers, or moldable or extrudable plastics range having very high molecular weights, generally in excess of 100,000 up to in excess of 500,000 and having useful end groups such as the halogens and specifically chloride, allyl, acryl or methacryl, acetate or formate to name some of the more useful ones.

Abstract: This invention produces higher homologs, i.e., differing by at least a --CH.sub.2 -unit, of carbonyloxy-containing compounds by treating the carbonyloxy-containing compounds with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a ruthenium-containing compound, a proton donor, an iodide promoter, and optionally, a manganese-containing compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new crystalline calcium salt of valproic acid, in which per molecule 5 valproic acid radicals are associated with one calcium ion. The salt is non-hygroscopic and has superior galenic characteristics as active agent in pharmaceutical preparations, particularly for oral application.The calcium salt is useful for the treatment of epilepsy and febrile convulsions.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing water from a mixture of hydrogen fluoride (HF), a carboxylic acid, e.g., acetic acid, and water by extractive distillation in the presence of a Lewis base as solvent, which does not azeotrope with water, forms bonds with the HF and carboxylic acid which can be broken by heat and has a boiling point at atmospheric pressure at least about 20.degree. C. above that of the carboxylic acid, e.g., N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and taking off an overhead vapor comprising a major proportion of the water in said mixture. The extractive distillation may be advantageously integrated in an overall process with the production of an aromatic ketone, e.g., 4-hydroxyacetophone, by the Friedel-Crafts acylation of an aromatic compound, e.g., phenol, with the carboxylic acid, using HF as catalyst, to produce a product mixture comprising the aromatic ketone, HF, carboxylic acid and water, and the removal of aromatic ketone from the product mixture by means of a solvent assisted distillation.

Abstract: Oleaginous material is fractionated into two fractions having different melting points from each other by emulsifying all the oleaginous material with water and using with a surfactant having an HLB value of 5 to 10 as an emulsifier, at a temperature at which all the oleaginous material is substantially melted. The emulsion is cooled to a temperature at which one fraction of the oleaginous material crystallizes so that the emulsion forms a lighter phase containing the other fraction of the oleaginous material and a heavier phase comprising an aqueous phase containing crystals of said first fraction dispersed therein. The lighter phase is separated from the heavier phase and then the crystals of the first fraction are separated from the remainder of the heavier phase.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid of formula RCO.sub.2 H where R is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 aliphatic hydrocarbyl group is prepared by heating under substantially anhydrous conditions an ester of formic acid of formula HCO.sub.2 R where R is as defined above in the presence of carbon monoxide and an effective amount of a catalyst system comprising a Group VIII metal, a halide and a compound containing a quaternary Group V atom. The quaternary Group V atom can be formed in situ by adding a compound containing a trivalent nitrogen, phosphorus or arsenic atom quaternizable under the reaction conditions and a quaternizing agent. Acetic acid is prepared by heating methyl formate in the presence of a catalyst system containing a rhodium compound, an iodide and a quaternary nitrogen-containing heterocyclic base.

Abstract: Pure hydroxylammonium salts of fatty acids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms are prepared by reacting hydroxylammonium sulfate and alkali metal salts of fatty acids with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in solution at elevated temperatures and separating off the hydroxylammonium salts of fatty acids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms by(a) reacting hydroxylammonium sulfate and alkali metal salts of fatty acids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in solution in water or alkanols of 1 to 3 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof at 20.degree.-70.degree. C.,(b) evaporating the solvent out of the reaction mixture to obtain a dry residue,(c) isolating the hydroxlammonium salts of fatty acids of 1 to 4 carbon atoms from the dry residue thus obtained by sublimation under reduced pressure.

Abstract: Allyl formate is substantially selectively converted to isobutyric acid, n-butyric acid and/or glutaric acid by bringing the alyl formate into contact with activated carbon in the presence of carbon monoxide, water and formic acid and a halide promoted group VIII soluble metal catalyst optionally in the presence of a solvent. Isobutyric and n-butyric acids are preferentially formed in the presence of relatively low concentrations of water and formic acid whereas glutaric acid is preferentially formed in the presence of relatively higher concentrations of water and formic acid.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of vinyldiphosphonic acid is disclosed. The process involves elimination of a volatile acid from a 1-(O-acyl)-ethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid. The starting materials may be prepared by reacting 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid with the corresponding acid or directly by reacting the acid with phosphorous acid and an acyl anhydride.

Abstract: Esters of carboxylic acids of the formula RCH.sub.2 COOR"' and R'CH:C(R")COOR"' are reacted to form a carboxylic acid and an aliphatic alcohol R"'OH wherein R, R', and R" are individually selected from the group consisting of --H, alkyl moieties of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms and aralkyl moieties, cycloalkyl moieties and alkylaryl moieties of 3 to 18 carbon atoms and R"' is an alkyl moiety of 1 to 18 carbon atoms in the presence of an AMS-1B borosilicate crystalline molecular sieve catalyst under reaction conditions.

Abstract: What is disclosed is the use of metallic vessels having particularly high corrosion resistance which are made of(a) aluminum or alloys containing more than 95% aluminum, or of(b) nickel-chromium-iron alloys containing from 30 to 50% of nickel, from 20 to 30% of chromium, and from 18 to 50% of iron, by weight, in reacting or working up mixtures containing substantial amounts of hydrogen fluoride in addition to organic carboxylic acids and/or carbon monoxide and/or water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the catalytic conversion of lactic acid and/or ammonium lactate to acrylic acid by contacting a mixture of water and lactic acid and/or ammonium lactate in the vapor phase with aluminum phosphate which has been treated with an aqueous inorganic base.

Abstract: A process for separation of methacrylic acid from methacrylic acid-isobutyric acid mixtures involving the selective crystallization and removal of the methacrylic acid from said mixtures is decribed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkylthioalkanoate salts by reaction of an alkali metal alkylmercaptide with a lactone in the presence of an aprotic polar organic solvent. Preferably, the alkali metal mercaptide is prepared by reaction of an alkylmercaptan and an alkali metal phenate.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separation of propionic acid and methacrylic acid and esterification of methacrylic acid with an aliphatic alcohol of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in presence of a suitable catalyst wherein separation and esterification is obtained with minimal polymerization of methacrylic acid.

Abstract: A process for the production of an alkyl .alpha.-keto-carboxylic acid of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms which comprises reacting an alkyl halide of the formula:RXwhere R is as defined above and X represents halogen, in a liquid solvent medium, with carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of a metal carbonyl compound and an alkali metal inorganic base or an alkaline earth metal inorganic base. Optionally, small amounts of LiI and/or bis(1,2-diphenylphosphino)ethane may be present in the reaction as co-catalysts.

Abstract: Aqueous acidic scrubbing liquors obtained when oxidation mixtures from the oxidation of cyclohexane are scrubbed with water are stabilized by a process in which the scrubbing liquors are heated at from 50.degree. to 130.degree. C. in the presence of a water-soluble vanadium compound.

Abstract: Calcium propionate is prepared by passing a vaporous mixture of propionic acid and water into an aqueous solution containing calcium propionate and calcium hydroxide, with or without propionic acid.

Abstract: Water-soluble valproic acid salts, consisting of reaction products of valproic acid with at least one basic amino-acid, the latter being preferably selected from the group comprising arginine, lysine, histidine, ornithine and glycine.

Abstract: A process for forming a purified solute from an aqueous solution is provided whereby a mixture of an extractant, a hydrate former and the aqueous solution is first formed. The hydrate former forms a hydrate with water while the solute does not form a hydrate. The extractant takes up the solute from the aqueous solution. The mixture is subjected to a temperature and pressure sufficient to form the solid hydrate of the hydrate former, an aqueous solution of the solute and a portion comprising the extractant containing the solute. The solute is recovered from the portion comprising the extractant and the solute.

Abstract: Propanoic acid cannot be completely removed from propanoic-water mixtures by distillation because of the presence of the minimum azeotrope. Propanoic acid can be readily removed from mixtures containing it and water by using extractive distillation in which the extractive distillation agent is an acid amide. Typical examples of effective agents are acetamide; dimethylformamide and methyl glutaronitrile; formamide, adiponitrile and N,N-dimethylacetamide.

Abstract: A process for converting .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acids to hydroxy free aliphatic carboxylic acids and aldehydes in the presence of a catalyst of the formula:M.sub.a M'.sub.b O.sub.xwhereinM is at least one of an element selected from Group IB, VIB, IVA; andM' is at least one of an element selected from Groups IA, IIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIIB, VB.

Abstract: In the preparation of a carboxylic acid by the carbonylation of an olefin in the presence of hydrofluoric acid catalyst, the hydrofluoric acid is isolated from the carboxylic acid by means of an ion-permeable membrane and the thus-isolated hydrofluoric acid can be recycled to again catalyze the carbonylation reaction.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a continuous one-step method for the preparation of isobutyric acid or a lower alkyl ester thereof by the Koch synthesis, which method comprises reacting propylene, carbon monoxide, and water or a lower alcohol, in the gaseous and liquid phases, in the presence of hydrogen fluoride as a Koch catalyst, at a temperature between 80.degree. C. and 160.degree. C., at a dwell time of the liquid phase of less than 20 minutes, and with a high degree of backmixing, while maintaining the content of propylene in the reaction mixture at less than one percent by weight of the liquid phase, wherein all or part of the propylene, carbon monoxide, and water or lower alcohol can be replaced by binary addition compounds formed pairwise between these materials. In the alternative, isopropylformiate can be continuously rearranged in the presence of hydrogen fluoride to produce isobutyric acid.

Abstract: Process for the co-production of carboxylic acids of the general formula R.sup.1 --COOH and R.sup.2 --COOH and carboxylic acid esters of the general formula R.sup.1 --COOCH.sub.2 R.sup.2 and R.sup.2 --COOCH.sub.2 R.sup.1 from carboxylic acid esters of the general formula R.sup.1 --COOR.sup.2 and/or ethers of the general formula R.sup.3 OR.sup.4 (R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 representing (substituted) alkyl or (substituted) aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl, R.sup.1 also representing H), carbon monoxide and hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a ruthenium compound, a further Group VIII metal compound, a phosphine oxide and a compound R.sup.5 Hal or R.sup.5 COHal where R.sup.5 has one of the meanings given for R.sup.2 and Hal is iodine or bromine, the reaction mixture being substantially free from other transition metal or Group II metal iodides or bromides, and containing a tertiary phosphine oxide.

Abstract: Carboxylic acid anhydrides are reacted with hydrogen to produce alkylidene diesters with high yield and with ratios of alkylidene diesters and co-product carboxylic acid near the theoretical by carrying out the reaction in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid or an ester thereof having at least two carbon atoms more than formic acid is prepared by reacting at elevated temperature e.g. 100.degree. to 250.degree. C. formic acid or a formate ester with an olefin e.g. ethylene in the presence of, as catalyst, a Group VIII noble metal e.g. iridium, preferably promoted by iodide, to cause addition of the formic acid or ester to the olefin and form the a higher acid e.g. propionic acid or ester thereof.A strong acid such as a sulphonic acid may be used as a copromoter. The catalyst is employed in solution.

Abstract: C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 monocarboxylic acids are co-produced with formic acid by reacting at an elevated temperature below 250.degree. C. a C.sub.1 to C.sub.9 alkyl formate with carbon monoxide and water in the presence as catalyst of a Group VIII noble metal component and an iodine or bromine-containing promoter, the partial pressure of carbon monoxide being in the range 1 to 300 bar, the concentration of noble metal component being in the range from 100 to 5000 ppm and the atomic ratio of noble metal to iodine or bromine being in the range from 1:50 to 1:1000 and thereafter recovering the co-produced C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 monocarboxylic acid and formic acid. In a preferred embodiment, the alkyl formate is methyl formate and the recovered acids are acetic acid and formic acid.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the production of aldehydes wherein an oric halide is reacted with carbon monoxide at a superatmospheric pressure in the presence of a hydrogen donor and in the presence of a base and of a catalyst in a solvent system.Catalysts of choice are transition metal catalysts. A preferred temperature range is from about 50.degree. to 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for separating carboxylic acids from mixtures with non-acids by an extractive distillation method using a lactam with a 5- or 6-membered ring, preferably N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, as an extractant to extract the acids from the mixture with non-acids, followed by separating the extracted acids from the extractant by rectification.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids having two or more carbon atoms than formic acid, or esters of such carboxylic acids are prepared by reacting either formic acid or an ester of formic acid with an olefin at elevated temperature in the presence of a Group VIB metal catalyst. The Group VIB metal which is chromium, molybdenum or tungsten is suitably added as a carbonyl or carbonyl halide. In addition to the catalyst a halide promoter and a phosphorus containing copromoter may optionally be added. The process can be used, for example to prepare propionic acid or a propionic acid ester from ethylene and either formic acid of an ester of formic acid.

Abstract: Acid salts of valproic acid having the structure: ##STR1## wherein M is potassium, cesium or rubidium. The salts of the invention are useful in the treatment of epileptic seizures, and can be conveniently formulated into oral dosage forms.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of beta-disubstituted monocarboxylic acids derived from tertiary acyclic, monocyclic or bicyclic hydrocarbons. The process consists in reacting said hydrocarbons with vinylidene chloride and either a functional compound where the molecule includes a tertiary carbon atom bonded to the heteroatom of a functional group such as a tertiary alcohol, an ether, or a tertiary halide or an alkene, in the presence of a concentrated protonic acid. The reaction can be carried out in the presence of a catalyst of the Lewis acid type and particularly BF.sub.3. These acids are useful as synthesis intermediates and as additives for oils and lubricants.

Abstract: Improvements in efficiencies and yields are achieved in the production of a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid containing 5 to 9 carbon atoms from its corresponding aldehyde by rapidly hydrolyzing the anhydride of the monocarboxylic acid formed in the oxidation. The hydrolysis is accomplished by contacting the anhydride with water at a temperature from about 130.degree. C. to about 215.degree. C. and at a pressure under which the water is maintained in the liquid state to convert the anhydride to its corresponding acid.

Abstract: Prepare hydroxyaromatic ethers by contacting an oxidizing agent with an acylaromatic ether in the presence of an acid catalyst.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids and N-t.-alkylamines can be prepared simultaneously by the alkaline pressure hydrolysis of N-t.-alkyl carboxylic acid amides. A 5 to 50% strength by weight aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide is employed for this purpose in an amount of 1.0 to 1.3 mols per mol of the amide. The process is carried out at 200.degree. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the co-production of an alkylidene dicarboxylate and a carboxylic acid, which comprises hydrogenating a carboxylic acid anhydride in the presence of carbon monoxide and a homogeneous iridium- and/or rhodium-containing catalyst, together with an organo phosphorus (III), arsenic (III), or antimony (III) compound and either molecular oxygen or a phosphorus (V), arsenic (V) or antimony (V) compound containing a X=O moiety, where X is a phosphorus, arsenic or antimony atom.

Abstract: A process for the production of isobutyryl fluoride by reacting isopropyl fluoride and carbon monoxide in the presence of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid is described.

Abstract: An oxygenated organic compound, such as ethanol, is recovered from a dilute aqueous stream thereof by contacting said stream with crosslinked polyvinylpyridine resin or nuclear substituted derivative thereof to effect selective sorption of the compound by said resin. The sorbed compound is thereafter removed from the resin by stripping with an inert gas such as carbon dioxide.