Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a nonracemic diastereomer of 1-(4-benzoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-propanol by hydrogenation of a corresponding nonracemic 1-(4-benzoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-propanone using a catalyst system comprising ruthenium, a nonracemic diphosphine ligand, a bidentate amine ligand selected from amino-thioethers and achiral diamines, and a base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a nonracemic diastereomer of 1-(4-benzoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-propanol by hydrogenation of a corresponding nonracemic 1-(4-benzoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-1-propanone using a catalyst system comprising ruthenium, a nonracemic diphosphine ligand, a bidentate amine ligand selected from amino-thioethers and achiral diamines, and a base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enantioselectively producing a nonracemic 6,7-dihydroxy geranyloxy compound from a geranyloxy compound. In particular, methods of the present invention involve enantioselectively epoxidizing the geranyloxy compound and hydrolyzing the epoxide moiety under conditions sufficient to produce the nonracemic 6,7-dihydroxy geranyloxy compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enantioselectively producing a nonracemic 6,7-dihydroxy geranyloxy compound from a geranyloxy compound. In particular, methods of the present invention involve enantioselectively epoxidizing the geranyloxy compound and hydrolyzing the epoxide moiety under conditions sufficient to produce the nonracemic 6,7-dihydroxy geranyloxy compound.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing aminoarylacetylenes comprising reacting a N-arylmethylidene aminoarylhalide with a terminal acetylene in the presence of a base and a catalyst system comprising a palladium catalyst and a cuprous salt to produce a novel N-arylmethylidene aminoarylacetylene, and hydrolyzing the N-arylmethylidene aminoarylacetylene to the aminoarylacetylene. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for preparing aminophenylacetylenes comprising reacting a N-benzylidene aminophenylhalide with a terminal acetylene in the presence of a base and the catalyst system to produce a novel N-benzylidene aminophenylacetylene, and hydrolyzing the N-benzylidene aminophenylacetylene to the aminophenylacetylene.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing aminoarylacetylenes comprising reacting a N-arylmethylidene aminoarylhalide with a terminal acetylene in the presence of a base and a catalyst system comprising a palladium catalyst and a cuprous salt to produce a novel N-arylmethylidene aminoarylacetylene, and hydrolyzing the N-arylmethylidene aminoarylacetylene to the aminoarylacetylene.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing acylaromatics comprising reacting an aromatic compound with a carboxylic acid in the presence of a reaction medium comprising polyphosphoric acid and a strong protic acid. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for preparing a para-acyl phenoxyethylamine comprising the steps of reacting a 2-phenoxyethyl compound bearing a leaving group on the ethyl 1-position with a carboxylic acid in the presence of a reaction medium comprising polyphosphoric acid and a strong protic acid, to form apara-acyl phenoxyethyl intermediate bearing the leaving group; and reacting the para-acyl phenoxyethyl intermediate with an amine that substitutes for the leaving group to form the para-acyl phenoxyethylamine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing biaryl compounds comprising reacting an arylmetal reagent selected from arylmagnesium reagents and aryllithium reagents with an arylhalide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a catalyst selected from nickel catalysts and palladium catalysts and a cocatalyst selected from zinc cocatalysts and cadmium cocatalysts. The present invention specifically provides a process for the preparation of 2-(4'-methylphenyl)benzonitrile comprising reacting a 4-methylphenylmagnesium reagent with a 2-halobenzonitrile in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a catalyst selected from nickel catalysts and palladium catalysts and a zinc cocatalyst.