Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of dialkyl aromatic hydroxyl compounds such as dialkylphenols, dialkylbenzenediols, dialkylnaphthols and dialkylnaphthalenediols, especially 2,5-dialkylhydroquinone, by contacting an aromatic hydroxy compound with an olefin in the presence of a sulfonic acid and sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is process for the production of symmetrical fluoro-substituted anhydrides from mixed or unsymmetrical anhydrides, i.e., wherein the two carboxylic acid acyl groups of the anhydrides are different, by subjecting an unsymmetrical anhydrides to reactive distillation to produce a lower boiling product comprising a symmetrical fluorocarboxylic acid anhydride and a higher boiling product comprising a second symmetrical anhydride. The process is particularly useful for the coproduction of trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) and acetic anhydride (Ac2O) from ketene and trifluoroacetic acid wherein ketene and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) are reacted to produce a mixed anhydride, acetyl trifluoroacetate (Ac-TFA), which then is subjected to reactive distillation to produce a vapor product comprising TFAA and a liquid product comprising Ac2O.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the stabilization of cyclobutanone compounds with a phenolic stabilizer compound and to stabilized compositions comprising a cyclobutanone compound and a phenolic stabilizer compound. The stabilization of cyclobutanone compounds with a phenolic stabilizer compound eliminates or minimizes the formation of a solid material when cyclobutanone compounds are stored and/or transported under ordinary shipping conditions.

Abstract: The composition disclosed herein comprises about 55 to about 90 weight percent of a monoglyceride component comprising a monoglyceride having an acyl chain of 12 to 22 carbons, about 5 to about 35 weight percent of an acetylated monoglyceride component comprising an acetylated monoglyceride having an acyl chain of 12 to 22 carbons, and about 2 to about 40 weight percent water. The present composition is a liquid crystalline phase composition at a temperature of about 20 to about 80° C., preferably a cubic liquid crystalline gel.

Abstract: The preparation of carbonyl compounds by oxidizing a nitro functional group of an organic compound is described. Oxidation is accomplished under catalyzed oxidative Nef reaction conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of cyclopropanecarbonitrile (CPCN) by feeding concurently cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde (CPCA) and hydroxylamine aqueous solution to a reaction zone which contains formic acid. The process avoids the formation and accumulation of large amounts CPCA oxime intermediates which exhibit a very high energy release upon thermal decomposition. Additional embodiments of the invention comprise the steps of (1) synthesizing CPCN by feeding concurrently CPCA and hydroxylamine aqueous solution to a reaction zone containing formic acid to form a reaction product mixture comprising CPCN and (2) isolating and recovering the CPCN by contacting the reaction product mixture with a base to obtain a mixture comprising an organic phase containing CPCN and an aqueous phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of alkanoate esters of hydroxybenzenesulfonic acids and salts thereof by the steps of (1) contacting or reacting phenol with an alkanoic acid in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) to produce a aryl alkanoate ester and (2) contacting the reaction mixture of step (1) with a sulfonating agent to convert the aryl alkanoate ester to an alkanoate ester of hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid. The process provides the economic advantage inherent in using the product of esterification of step (1) without Disolation in the sulfonation of step (2).

Abstract: Optically active cis-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid monoesters of >90% enantiomeric excess (ee) and methods of preparing the monoesters are described. One method contacts a cis-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diester with a lipase under aqueous conditions to enantioselectively produce the optically active cis-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid monoester. Another method reacts a mixture of cis- and trans-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids under conditions sufficient to form a cis-cyclic anhydride, esterifies the cis-cyclic anhydride to produce a cis-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diester and then contacts under aqueous conditions the diester with a lipase to enantioselectively produce the optically active cis-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid monoester.

Abstract: Disclosed a process for preparing substantially enantiomerically pure 3-amino-3-cyclopropylpropanoate esters, i.e., esters of 3-amino-3-cyclopropylpropanoic acid (3-cyclopropylalanine esters or 3-CPA esters) by a 5-step process wherein cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde (CPCA) is reacted with malonic acid and a source of ammonia to obtain 3-cyclopropylalanine (3-CPA); esterifying the 3-CPA; contacting the 3-CPA ester with a substantially enantiomerically pure acid selected from tartaric acid, dibenzoyltartaric acid and mandelic acid to obtain a diastereomeric salt of the 3-CPA ester and the acid; recrystallization of the salt to substantial diastereomeric purity; and neutralizing the salt to afford the substantially enantiomerically pure 3-CPA ester.

Abstract: A die plate is shown suitable for extruding a viscous material into a convenient form for the preparation of small pellets or particles. The die plate includes solid support portions and perforated portions. Each perforated portion of the die plate includes a major portion of holes through the die plate spaced from each other by a first distance and a transition portion separating the major portion from the solid support portions, with the transition portions having holes spaced from each other by a distance that is greater than the first distances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of cyclopropylglycine by a 5-step process wherein cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde is reacted with an &agr;-aminoalkylaromatic compound to obtain an imine which is reacted with a cyanide to produce an aminonitrile compound; the aminonitrile compound is hydrolyzed to the corresponding aminocarboxylic acid and finally the arylalkyl residue is removed from the amino group by hydrogenolysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation and recovery of cyclopropylacetonitrile by a novel combination of process steps beginning with a mixture of cyclopropylmethyl halide, a cyclobutyl halide and a 4-halo-1-butene. The process permits the recovery of substantially pure cyclopropylacetonitrile and cyclobutyl halide, e.g., cyclopropylacetonitrile and cyclobutyl halide each having a purity greater than about 95%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-step process wherein a 4-acyl-2,3-dihydrofuran is converted to a 2-alkoxy-3-acyl-3-halotetrahydorfuran which then is contacted with an strong base to produce an alkyl 3-furoate. Also disclosed are novel 2-alkoxy-3-acyl-3-halotetrahydrofuran intermediates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 3-methyltetrahydrofuran (3-MeTHF) from 3-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran (3-HOMeTHF) by a plurality of process steps comprising (1) esterifying 3-HOMeTHF to produce a carboxylate ester of 3-HOMeTHF, (2) pyrrolyzing the carboxylate ester to produce 3-methylenetetrahydrofuran (3-methyleneTHF), and (3) hydrogenating the 3-methyleneTHF to produce 3-MeTHF. The 3-MeTHF produced in accordance with the present invention is useful as an industrial solvent and as a monomer in the manufacture of polymers such as elastomers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing novel trans-3-alkyloxy-4-hydroxytetrahydrofurans including racemic and substantially enantiomerically pure (3S,4S)-trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-hydroxytetrahydrofurans and (3R,4R)-trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-acyloxytetrahydrofurans. The disclosed process comprises the steps of reacting 3,4-epoxytetrahydrofuran with an alcohol under Lewis acid catalysis to obtain a racemic trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran; contacting the trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran with an acyl donor in the presence of a hydrolase enzyme to produce a mixture of a substantially enantiomerically pure (3S,4S)-trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and a substantially enantiomerically pure (3R,4R)-trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-acyloxytetrahydrofuran; and separating the components of the mixture by partitioning between water and a solvent immiscible with water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aqueous enteric coating composition comprised of a solution of a water-soluble salt of an enteric coating polymer, with a hydrophobic compound containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms and a water-insoluble solid flake material dispersed in the aqueous solution. The enteric coating formed from the present composition has good mechanical strength and shows superior resistance to attack by atmospheric moisture and simulated gastric fluid, while being readily broken down under the alkaline conditions which exist in the intestine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the stabilization of dry N,N-dialkyl-p-phenylenediamine color developers and to the stabilized compositions thus obtained wherein the color developer which is susceptible to oxidative discoloration is intimately mixed with a stabilizing amount of an alkali metal metabisulfite, bisulfite or sulfite The method is particularly useful for the stabilization of salts of N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)4-amino-3-methylaniline.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of cyclopropylmethyl halides (CPMX) such as cyclopropylmethyl chloride (CPMCI) and cyclopropylmethyl bromide (CPMBr) wherein cyclopropanemethanol (CPMO) is contacted with a complex comprising a dialkyl sulfide and an N-halosuccinimide in the presence of an organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the synthesis of 3-buten-1-ol by contacting 3,4-epoxy-1-butene and formic acid with a homogeneous catalyst solution comprising a palladium(0) compound, a tertiary phosphine and a trialkylamine dissolved in tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of cyclopropylglycine by a 5-step process wherein cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde is reacted with an .alpha.-aminoalkylaromatic compound to obtain an imine which is reacted with a cyanide to produce an aminonitrile compound; the aminonitrile compound is hydrolyzed to the corresponding aminocarboxylic acid and finally the arylalkyl residue is removed from the amino group by hydrogenolysis.