Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the racemization of N-acylamino acids of the formula (I) R—CH(NR1COR2)CO2H   (I) in which, in a solvent, an enantiomerically enriched mixture or an enantiomerically pure compound of the formula (I) is reacted in the presence of a transition metal salt, transition metal complex or transition metal complex salt or of a mixture thereof comprising at least one element from the group consisting of Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, preferably at a temperature of 10-150° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to sophoroselipids of formula (I) wherein R4 represents H, —CH2CH3, —CH2CH2CH3, n is an integer number from 2 to 27, R1 and R2 represent, independently from each other, H or a group of formula (II), and R3 represents H or —OH. The invention also relates to a method for producing sophoroselipids of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3 and n have the aforementioned meanings and R4 represents —CH3, —CH2CH3 or —CH2CH2CH3. According to this method, a yeast capable of secreting a sophoroselipid in the form of a lactone in the culture excess, is fermented in a culture medium containing a glycerin. a succinate, a mono-, di- and/or tri-saccharide and a lipid precursor, said sophoroslipid being then isolated from the culture solution. The inventive method is characterised in that the lipid precursor contains one or more 3-alkanols, 4-alkanols or an alkanone with a chain length from 6 to 30 carbon atoms or mixtures of said alkanoistalkanone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support body with a coating of at least 95% by weight titanium boride, said coating having an oxygen content of less than or equal to 1% by weight, a metallic impurities content of less than or equal to 0.5% by weight, and a specific electrical resistance of less than or equal to 10 &mgr;&OHgr;·m at room temperature.

Abstract: Thermoplastic mixture based on biopolymers for producing shaped biodegradable articles with improved properties, preparation of the mixture, and also its use. A novel thermoplastic mixture based on biopolymers, in particular on starch, features the presence of lignin and is used for producing shaped biodegradable articles with improved properties, preferably with improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of &ggr;-linolenic acid (GLA) from Colpidium and its use in foodstuffs, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Colpidium can be fermentatively cultured up to a high absolute yield of GLA in an optimized medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and molecular-biological and biochemical characterization of novel DEAH-box proteins which show structural similarity with other known helicases. The invention also relates to DNA sequences encoding such proteins. It is demonstrated that such proteins bind ATP and nucleic acid and possess helicase and ATPase activities. This invention further relates to processes for preparation of such proteins and their use in pharmacologically relevant test systems and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chip card containing a ferroelectric liquid-crystal display containing a ferroelectric liquid-crystal display containing a ferroelectric liquid-crystal layer in which the liquid-crystal layer has optical anisotropy values of ≦0.15 in the region of the operating temperature. The chip card according to the invention is particularly practicable since the display can be switched at voltages ≦15 V, generally ≦5 V. It can be written in a broad temperature range, and is robust to everyday loads, such as pressure, flexing or thermal deformation.

Abstract: A ferroelectric active-matrix liquid-crystal display containing a ferroelectric liquid crystal which forms a ‘spontaneous bookshelf’ geometry.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of compounds of the formula R1aRebOc.Ld  (I), in which and the total of a, b and c is such as to comply with the pentavalency or heptavalency of rhenium, with the proviso that c is not larger than 3×b, and in which R1 is absent or identical or different, and is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an aromatic hydrocarbon radical having 6 to 10 carbon atoms or an arylalkyl radical having 7 to 9 carbon atoms, it being possible for the R1 radicals where appropriate to be substituted identically or differently, independently of one another, as catalysts for oxidizing electron-rich aromatic compounds and their derivatives, the catalysts being employed in a peroxide-containing solution in the presence of an anhydride of a carboxylic acid and/or of a dehydrating agent.

Abstract: The present invention describes a chip card having a ferroelectric liquid-crystal display containing a ferroelectric liquid-crystal layer, in which the liquid-crystal layer consists of a mixture of low-molecular-weight (60 to 95% by weight) and polymeric or oligomeric liquid crystals.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell comprising an electrolyte which comprises a hole conductor compound as redox system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the epoxidation of alkenes of the formula (1) where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C20-alkyl, C1-C12-alkoxy, C6-C10-aryl, —CHOH—CH3, —CH—NH2—CH3 or carboxy, using air or oxygen over a catalyst comprising compounds of the formula (2) MoxOy(L)z  (2) where x is 1, 2 or 3, y is an integer from 0 to 2x+1, z is an integer from 1 to 2x, where the ligand L is a compound of the formula (3) or (4) where X is a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom, Y is hydrogen, C1-C8-alkyl, C1-C8-alkoxy, F, Cl, Br, I, COOCH3, C6-C14-aryl or C3-C8-cycloalkyl, R7 and R8 form a ring containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms onto which one or two aromatic rings may be fused, R5 and R6 are hydrogen, branched or straight-chain C1-C12-alkyl or branched or straight-chain C1-C12-haloalkyl which are substituents on the ring formed by R7 and R8 and/or the rings fused onto this ring, or t

Abstract: 1,4-&agr;-D-Polyglucan-based thermoplastic mixture, process for the preparation and use thereof The present invention relates to a thermoplastic mixture based on biopolymers obtainable by preparing and mixing (A) 100 parts by weight of a biocatalytically produced 1,4-&agr;-D-polyglucans, (B) up to 400 parts by weight of a melt-processable polymeric material different from (A), (C) water in an amount sufficient for plastification of the mixture, (D) at least one plasticizer in an amount of 10 parts by weight up to half the total of the parts by weight of (A) and (B), and (E) where appropriate up to ((A)+(B)) parts by weight of other conventional additives, where the water content of components (A) and (B) has been corrected to zero by calculation where the plastification takes place with introduction of thermal and mechanical energy, to the use of the mixture for producing essentially biodegradable moldings and sheets, and to a process for preparing the mixture.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymerizable biaryl derivatives comprises reacting an aromatic comprising a 6-membered ring which bears ester or benzylic OH groups in the 1,4 position with a second aromatic in a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction to give a biaryl and converting the ester or benzylic OH groups into polymerizable groups in one or more steps. The biaryls obtained are suitable for preparing polymers which are used as electroluminescence materials.

Abstract: Ordered poly(arylene-vinylene)terpolymers, process for their preparation and their use as electroluminescence materials Poly(arylene-vinylene) terpolymers comprising repeating units of the formula (I), where the symbols have the following meanings: Ar1, Ar2, Ar3 are identical or different and are monocyclic or polycyclic, substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl groups which may be linked via one or more bridges or be fused, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 are identical or different and are each H or a hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted, preferably by F, and may also contain heteroatoms, preferably O, are suitable as electroluminescence materials.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 1-aryl-4-(arylethyl)piperazine of the formula (I) by reacting a 1-arylpiperazine of the formula (II) with an aromatic olefin of the formula (III) Ar′CR1═CHR2  (III) in an inert solvent in the presence of at least one basic catalyst, where in the formulae (I) to (III) Ar and Ar′ independently of one another are an aryl radical, selected from the group of the fused and unfused C6-C22-aromatics and the fused or unfused C5-C22-heteroaromatics which have at least one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom in the ring; and R1 and R2 independently of one another are a hydrogen atom, a C1-C8-alkyl radical or an aryl radical Ar.

Abstract: Homogeneous mixtures are described and can be processed to give shaped biodegradable and physiologically nonhazardous articles, such as packagings for food or drink or pharmaceutical products, sausage casings and the like. The mixtures comprise dialdehyde starch with a degree of oxidation of greater than 30%, starch which does not exhibit any iodine-starch reaction, and/or modified starch, water and other plasticizers, and also, if desired, other biopolymers and additives.

Abstract: The use of compounds of the formula (I) R1aRebOc•Ld  (I), in which a=zero or an integer from 0 to 6 b=an integer from 1 to 4 c=an integer from 1 to 12 d=an integer from 0 to 4 L=Lewis base and the total of a, b and c is such as to comply with the penta- or hepta-valency of rhenium, with the proviso that c is not greater than 3•b, and in which R1 is absent, identical or different and is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an aromatic hydrocarbon radical having 6 to 10 carbon atoms or an arylalkyl radical having 7 to 9 carbon atoms, where the R1 radicals can, where appropriate, be substituted identically or differently, independently of one another, as catalysts for the selective oxidation of olefins with cleavage of C═C bonds to give the corresponding carbonyl compounds in the presence of a peroxide-containing compound, where the amount of substance ratio of olefin to peroxide-containing compound is in a range from 1:

Abstract: Process for preparing propene oxide, in which a mixture of propene and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas is reacted at a temperature in the range from 150 to 500° C., in the presence or absence of a catalyst, in a reactor, wherein all or part of the interior of the reactor is lined with inert materials. The inert material used is at least one of the materials of the following group: one or more noble metals of transition group VIII of the Periodic Table, in particular gold, titanium and tantalum, glass, enamel, quartz, ceramic and Teflon. The selectivity to propene oxide is >60%.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2,3-dihydroindoles of the formula (I) by reaction of halostyrenes of the formula (IIa) or (IIb) with amines of the formula (III) R1—NH2  (III) in at least one inert solvent or in water, and in the presence of at least one base.