Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of oxidation of alcohols selectively to aldehydes or ketones with molecular oxygen using a TEMPO based catalyst, Fe-bipyridyl or Fe-phenantroline co-catalyst and N-bromosuccinimide promoter in acetic acid solvent. The oxidation takes places at high rates and high aldehyde selectivity at temperatures in the range 45-50° C. and oxygen or air pressures of 0-15 psi. The alcohol conversion of 95-100% and aldehyde selectivity higher than 95% are achieved over 3-4 hours reaction time. Aldehydes such as 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanal can be produced efficiently using the present invention.

Abstract: A process for the production of 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde is disclosed. The 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde is obtained by the reduction of 3,3-dimethylbutyric acid using trimethylacetic anhydride and a phosphine. The 3,3-dimethylbutyric acid is preferably obtained by a process in which tert-butanol and vinylidene chloride are reacted in the presence of sulfuric acid. The disclosed process has improved cost and yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of oxidation of alcohols selectively to aldehydes or ketones with NaOCl using a TEMPO—borate catalyst system. It is shown that the oxidation can be efficiently carried out without KBr additives under solvent free conditions. Aldehydes such as 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde can be produced efficiently using the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to the purification of N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester by slurrying a mixture containing N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester with organic or aqueous organic solvents.

Abstract: Processes for using modified catalysts with improved functionality in the production of neotame are disclosed. The modified catalysts surprisingly have been found to improve the selectivity over conventional catalysts and to reduce the level of certain impurities in neotame production processes.

Abstract: The synthesis of N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester via conversion under reducing conditions of novel imidazolidinone(s) is disclosed.

Abstract: N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester is crystallized in order to give highly pure product in high yield. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester is crystallized directly from an aqueous methanol reaction mixture.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of at least one taste modifying ingredient to modify at least one taste characteristic imparted by N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester, or neotame, compositions containing the same, and use of modified forms of neotame that possess an improved taste, wherein at least one taste characteristic imparted by neotame is positively affect by the modification of neotame.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing an agglomerate of N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester and a carrier including the steps of: (a) providing a premix solution containing N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester and a binding agent; (b) fluidizing a carrier; and (c) applying the premix solution of step (a) onto said fluidized carrier to form an agglomerate of said N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester and said carrier. This invention is also directed to the novel agglomerates prepared by the process of this invention.

Abstract: N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester is converted from a light powder to relatively dustless, free-flowing particles with and without the use of binders using extrusion and spheronization processes. These particles are suitable for use in a variety of applications. Food products sweetened with extruded or spheronized N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester and methods of sweetening food products with such N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester are also disclosed.