Abstract: A process for the reduction of carbonyl compounds by an alkali or alkaline-earth metal borohydride in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst which is an N-benzyl-N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)cocoammonium halide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing DBNPG by brominating pentaerythritol with HBr in the presence of a catalyst and solvent wherein water is present during the process. The reaction mass is neutralized prior to recovery of the DBNPG from the reaction mass.

Abstract: In a novel process for the preparation of perfluoroalkylalkenols, perfluoroalkylhalohydrins are dehydrohalogenated using specific ionic bases, namely using an alkali metal carbonate, an alkali metal hydrogen carbonate or an alkylammonium hydrogen carbonate, in the presence of aprotic and polar solvents. Using this process, high yields of the intended perfluoroalkylalkenols are achieved and only very small amounts, if any at all, of undesired byproducts, such as partially fluorinated ether alcohols and/or partially fluorinated epoxides, are formed.

Abstract: A method for preparing important stereospecific intermediates in the synthesis of prostaglandin analogs is disclosed. Said intermediates are (+)R-2-methyl-hexane-1,2-diol and (-)S-2-methyl-hexane-1,2-diol and are prepared via an asymmetric halolactonization reaction utilizing L-proline and D-proline, respectively as the chiral agent.

Abstract: A process is provided for production of vicinal alkylene glycols by hydrolysis of an epoxyalkane having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms in the presence of water and a basic catalyst and under carbon dioxide pressures of from 100 to 300 bars and temperatures of from about 200.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. Also disclosed are homogeneous mixtures of epoxyalkanes and/or vicinal alkylene glycols having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms, water, a basic catalyst and carbon dioxide in an amount corresponding to a carbon dioxide partial pressure of from about 100 to 300 bars, provided at temperatures from about 200.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. The process provides high yields, selectivities and reaction velocities and the resulting products are of high purity.

Abstract: A process for making an alkali metal alkoxide (e.g. sodium alkoxide) of a halogen-substituted alcohol (e.g. fluorine-substituted alcohols) by dispersing an alkali metal (e.g. sodium) in a cycloalkane (e.g. cyclohexane) and adding the resultant dispersion to an ether (e.g. THF) solution of a halogen-substituted alcohol. The resultant alkali metal haloalkoxide solution can be reacted with a phosphonitrilic chloride polymer to introduce haloalkoxide substituents.

Abstract: 1,1,1-Trichloromethyl compounds are prepared by a process in which chloroform is reacted with an olefin in the presence of a free-radical initiator and of a weakly basic alkali metal salt or alkaline earth metal salt, and are useful intermediates for the preparation of dyes, drugs and pesticides.

Abstract: A fluoroaliphatic radical- and aliphatic chlorine-containing alcohol containing more than 25 weight percent carbon-bonded fluorine in the form of fluoroaliphatic radicals and at least one aliphatic chlorine, an ester of said alcohol and a carboxycylic acid being useful in the treatment of carpet.

Abstract: 6-Chloro-6-deoxy-D-hexitols, a novel class of compounds, and their esters, possess male antifertility activity and are thus useful in antifertility compositions. They are prepared by reduction of 6-chloro-6-deoxy-D-hexoses.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or alkyl; X, Y and Z are each independently hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine and A is chlorine or bromine, are prepared by reacting a tertiary alcohol of general formula: ##STR2## or a substituted alkene of general formula: ##STR3## with chlorine, bromine, hypochlorous acid or hypobromous acid in water at a pH not exceeding 7 and at a temperature from 10.degree. to 150.degree. C.The compounds are useful intermediates for fungicides.

Abstract: Fungicidal compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an optionally substituted-alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl or -aralkyl group, Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are .dbd.CH-- or .dbd.N--; and salts, metal complexes, ethers and esters thereof.

Abstract: L-carnitine is prepared by a synthesizing process starting from D-mannitol. The synthesis is started with the formation of a D-mannitol ketonide (more specifically D-mannitol acetonide from D-mannitol and acetone, whereafter the D-mannitol is split by oxidation to give glyceraldehyde acetonide, which is further reduced to glycerol acetonide. Then the free hydroxyl group is exchanged with a halogen atom (chlorine) with the formation of chlorodihydroxy propane, the primary alcoholic group of which is functionalized with the acid chloride of a sulfonic acid (tosylchloride). The reaction of the tosyl derivative with the salt of hydrogen cyanide leads to the formation of the corresponding nitrile which, when reacted with trimethylamine gives carnitinonitrile. The nitrile group is now hydrolyzed to give L-carnitine chloride. The formation of L-carnitine can then be obtained by exchanging the chloride ion with a hydroxyl ion.

Abstract: The S-enantiomer of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol is prepared by reaction of a chlorodeoxy-D-saccharide having the partial structure. ##STR1## to cleave the glycol, reduce the aldehyde so formed to an alcohol, and hydrolyse the alcohol under mild acidic conditions.

Abstract: Aldehydes and diols are prepared by reacting an olefine with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a Group Va or VIa metal compound, such as molybdenum-(III)-acetylacetonate.

Abstract: A composition for limiting feed supplement intake for cattle is disclosed which comprises at least one member of a group of compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is a hydroxyl or RB is a halogen or hydroxyl or RC is a halogen, or C is a hydroxyl in the event thatB is a halogen or C is a hydroxyl if B is also a hydroxyland A is Rwherein ##STR2## and preferably wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.9 -C.sub.

Abstract: Esters are treated with alkali metal borohydride to produce alcohols. Substantially constant boiling admixtures of: methanol/methyl heptafluorobutyrate, water/1,1-dihydroheptafluorobutanol, and water/methyl heptafluorobutyrate are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2,2-bis-(bromomethyl)-1,3-propanediol comprising reacting pentaerythritol with HBr in the presence of 0.5-4% calculated on the weight of said pentaerythritol of a catalyst selected among the group comprising carboxylic acids, their anhydrides and esters, in an inert solvent being selected from the group comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and aromatic and aliphatic halohydrocarbons having a boiling point between 80-145.degree. C., removing the water simultaneously in the form of a HBr solution, and thereafter adding a neutralizing agent.2,2-bis-(bromomethyl)-1,3-propanediol is utilized as reactive component in fire retardant polyesters and polyurethanes.

Abstract: Energetic branched polynitrodiols of the formula ##STR1## wherein Z is --C(NO.sub.2).sub.3, --CF(NO.sub.2).sub.2, --C(NO.sub.2).su CH.sub.3, or --N(NO.sub.2)CH.sub.3, and a method of preparation. These diols are useful as components of energetic binders for plastic-bonded explosives.