Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, tetraalkylbisphenols are prepared by biocatalytic dimerization of di-(lower alkyl)-substituted phenols in the presence of peroxidase enzyme and peroxide. Three reaction pathways to the desired diols are provided.

Abstract: A process is described for the dimerization of a substituted aromatic compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X represents --OH, --SH or --NHR where R is H, an alkyl group or an aryl group; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alicyclic group, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a hydroxy group, or an amino group; and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 can have the same definition as R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 and may additionally represent a hydrogen atom; which comprises reacting the substituted aromatic compound in the presence of a peroxidase enzyme, a peroxide and a radical transfer agent in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: Biocatalytic oxidative processes wherein oxidizable substrates are reacted in the presence of soybean peroxidase are described. Preferred biocatalytic oxidative reactions include the oxidation of sulfides, O-dealkylation of alkyl aryl ethers, N-dealkylation of aromatic amines, halogenation of halogen-reactive compounds and polymerization of aromatic amines. Examples of such reactions include the oxidation of alkyl aryl sulfides, the O-dealkylation of methoxybenzenes, the N-dealkylation of N,N-dimethyl aromatic amines halogenation of 5,5-dimethyl 1,3-cyclohexane dione, and the polymerization of aniline which can yield an intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP). A solution of substrate is prepared and then contacted with soybean peroxidasein the presence of a peroxide, preferably hydrogen peroxide. The reactions are preferably carried out in the presence of 10 to 100 mM calcium ions.

Abstract: Peroxidase can be recovered from seed hulls in an improved method using a freeze-thaw technique. First, the seed hulls are comminuted, placed into water and homogenized. Next, the homogenate is frozen then thawed. The enzyme is then recovered from the aqueous solution by conventional means. Soybean or rice seed hulls can be used in this process.

Abstract: Biocatalytic oxidative processes wherein oxidizable substrates are reacted in the presence of a peroxidase such as soybean peroxidase or another legume peroxidase is described.

Abstract: A curable formaldehyde-free phenolic resin having formula (I): ##STR1## wherein a and b each represent an integer equal to or greater than 1, a+b multiplied by n is an integer of about 3 to 100; ##STR2## m is 0 or 1; and R is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having about 1 to 12 carbon atoms, aryl having about 6 to 12 carbon atoms, allyl having 3 or 4 carbon atoms, aralkyl having about 7 to 13 carbon atoms, alkaryl having about 7 to 13 carbon atoms, alkoxy having about 1 to 4 carbon atoms, aryloxy having about 6 to 12 carbon atoms, or ##STR3## and methods for preparing such resin are described.